脚踏两船
脚踏两船 (jiǎo tà liǎng chuán) literally means “one foot in two boats” and expresses “indecision, double-dealing”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: jiao ta liang chuan, jiao ta liang chuan,脚踏两船 meaning, 脚踏两船 in english
Indecision, double-dealing
Pronunciation: jiǎo tà liǎng chuán Literal meaning: One foot in two boats
Origin & Usage
Commonly used in classical Chinese, the idiom 脚踏两船 (jiǎo tà liǎng chuán) literally translates to 'one foot in two boats.' This vivid imagery paints a picture of someone attempting to stand with a foot in each of two boats, a precarious position that risks falling into the water. The characters break down as follows: 脚 (jiǎo) means 'foot,' 踏 (tà) means 'step on,' 两 (liǎng) means 'two,' and 船 (chuán) means 'boat.' In modern usage, this idiom describes a situation where someone is trying to maintain two conflicting interests or relationships simultaneously, often leading to instability or failure. It serves as a cautionary metaphor about the dangers of indecision and the importance of commitment to a single path.
Examples
English: "He is trying to maintain relationships with both sides, which is causing confusion."
Chinese: 他脚踏两船，导致了许多误会。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 脚踏两船 mean in English?
脚踏两船 (jiǎo tà liǎng chuán) literally translates to “One foot in two boats” and is used to express “Indecision, double-dealing”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 脚踏两船 used?
Situation: He is trying to maintain relationships with both sides, which is causing confusion.
What is the pinyin for 脚踏两船?
The pinyin pronunciation for 脚踏两船 is “jiǎo tà liǎng chuán”.