鸡飞蛋打
鸡飞蛋打 (jī fēi dàn dǎ) literally means “chicken flies away and eggs broken” and expresses “to lose everything; complete failure”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
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To lose everything; complete failure
Pronunciation: jī fēi dàn dǎ Literal meaning: Chicken flies away and eggs broken
Origin & Usage
This vivid idiom depicts the scene of trying to catch a chicken and accidentally breaking its eggs in the process - losing both the bird and its potential offspring. It emerged from rural Chinese life where chickens represented valuable assets. The phrase captures the frustration of a double loss, particularly when greed or poor judgment causes one to lose everything. Modern usage describes situations where attempting to gain something results in losing what one already had, emphasizing the danger of overreaching.
Examples
English: "His reckless investment left him with nothing - the chicken flew and the eggs broke."
Chinese: 他冒险的投资让他鸡飞蛋打，一无所有。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 鸡飞蛋打 mean in English?
鸡飞蛋打 (jī fēi dàn dǎ) literally translates to “Chicken flies away and eggs broken” and is used to express “To lose everything; complete failure”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 鸡飞蛋打 used?
Situation: His reckless investment left him with nothing - the chicken flew and the eggs broke.
What is the pinyin for 鸡飞蛋打?
The pinyin pronunciation for 鸡飞蛋打 is “jī fēi dàn dǎ”.