破釜沉舟
破釜沉舟 (pò fǔ chén zhōu) literally means “break pots sink boats” and expresses “commit with no retreat”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: po fu chen zhou, po fu chen zhou,破釜沉舟 meaning, 破釜沉舟 in english
Commit with no retreat
Pronunciation: pò fǔ chén zhōu
Literal meaning: Break pots sink boats
Origin & Usage
Originating from a famous historical event in 207 BCE, this idiom recounts how general Xiang Yu ordered his troops to break (破) their cooking pots (釜) and sink (沉) their boats (舟) before battling the Qin army. By eliminating the possibility of retreat, he created absolute commitment to victory. During the Three Kingdoms period, this story became a classic example of decisive leadership and psychological warfare. The four characters create a powerful image of burning bridges to ensure total dedication. In modern contexts, it describes situations where success requires eliminating backup plans - from entrepreneurs investing all their resources to career changers making irreversible decisions. It teaches that certain achievements become possible only when retreat is no longer an option.
Examples
English: "He quit his job to start a business, fully committed to success"
Chinese: 他辞去工作创业，全身心投入追求成功
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
匠心独运
jiàng xīn dú yùn
Apply creative genius; show ingenuity
Learn more →
独具匠心
dú jù jiàng xīn
Show great ingenuity; have original design
Learn more →
别具一格
bié jù yī gé
Have unique style; be distinctive
Learn more →
独树一帜
dú shù yī zhì
Be unique; have distinctive style
Learn more →
独占鳌头
dú zhàn áo tóu
Come first; win top honors
Learn more →
出神入化
chū shén rù huà
Reach supernatural skill level
Learn more →
炉火纯青
lú huǒ chún qīng
Reach perfection; master completely
Learn more →
无懈可击
wú xiè kě jī
Flawless; invulnerable to criticism
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 破釜沉舟 mean in English?
破釜沉舟 (pò fǔ chén zhōu) literally translates to “Break pots sink boats” and is used to express “Commit with no retreat”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 破釜沉舟 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving commit with no retreat.
What is the pinyin for 破釜沉舟?
The pinyin pronunciation for 破釜沉舟 is “pò fǔ chén zhōu”.