人定胜天

Pronunciation: rén dìng shèng tiān Literal meaning: Human will conquers nature

Origin & Usage

Commonly used in classical Chinese literature, the idiom 人定胜天 (rén dìng shèng tiān) conveys the belief that human willpower (人, rén) and determination (定, dìng) can overcome (胜, shèng) the forces of nature or fate (天, tiān). The phrase is rooted in ancient texts like the 《逸周书》 (Yì Zhōu Shū), where similar expressions highlight the power of human agency. Over time, the idiom evolved to emphasize the modern notion that human effort can triumph over natural challenges. In contemporary usage, it encourages perseverance and the belief that through determination, people can shape their destinies and achieve success against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Examples

English: "With sheer determination, he overcame all obstacles that stood in his way."

Chinese: 凭借坚定的意志，人定胜天，他克服了所有的困难。