固若金汤
固若金汤 (gù ruò jīn tāng) literally means “solid as metal soup” and expresses “impenetrable defenses”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: gu ruo jin tang, gu ruo jin tang,固若金汤 meaning, 固若金汤 in english
Impenetrable defenses
Pronunciation: gù ruò jīn tāng Literal meaning: Solid as metal soup
Origin & Usage
This military metaphor describes defenses firm (固) as (若) metal (金) and hot moat water (汤), originating from Han Dynasty fortress construction, where metal gates and boiling water were ultimate defensive measures. The phrase first appeared in military texts describing the ideal fortification combining both passive and active defenses. During the Three Kingdoms period, it gained prominence through descriptions of Zhuge Liang's defensive installations. The specific pairing of metal (immovable, impenetrable) with boiling water (active, dangerous) created a perfect image of comprehensive security. Modern usage describes any system designed with multiple robust protective layers, from cybersecurity protocols to legal agreements.
Examples
English: "The company's cybersecurity defenses were impenetrable to attackers"
Chinese: 公司的网络安全防御对攻击者来说固若金汤
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
一鸣惊人
yī míng jīng rén
Sudden, remarkable success
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百折不挠
bǎi zhé bù náo
Unshakeable despite adversity
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水滴石穿
shuǐ dī shí chuān
Persistence achieves anything
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门庭若市
mén tíng ruò shì
Extremely popular
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天道酬勤
tiān dào chóu qín
Heaven rewards diligence
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破釜沉舟
pò fǔ chén zhōu
Commit with no retreat
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守时如金
shǒu shí rú jīn
Value time preciously
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青出于蓝
qīng chū yú lán
Student surpasses master
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 固若金汤 mean in English?
固若金汤 (gù ruò jīn tāng) literally translates to “Solid as metal soup” and is used to express “Impenetrable defenses”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 固若金汤 used?
Situation: The company's cybersecurity defenses were impenetrable to attackers
What is the pinyin for 固若金汤?
The pinyin pronunciation for 固若金汤 is “gù ruò jīn tāng”.