势不可挡
势不可挡 (shì bù kě dǎng) literally means “momentum that cannot be blocked” and expresses “unstoppable; irresistible momentum”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: shi bu ke dang, shi bu ke dang,势不可挡 meaning, 势不可挡 in english
Unstoppable; irresistible momentum
Pronunciation: shì bù kě dǎng Literal meaning: Momentum that cannot be blocked
Origin & Usage
This idiom originated in military contexts during the Three Kingdoms period, describing armies with such overwhelming momentum (势) that they could not (不可) be blocked or resisted (挡). The concept of 'shi' (势) is central to Chinese strategic thinking, representing the dynamic force or momentum of a situation. Sunzi's 'Art of War' extensively discusses harnessing and creating unstoppable momentum. Modern usage extends to any powerful trend, movement, or force that cannot be resisted, from market forces to social changes.
Examples
English: "The technological revolution is an unstoppable force reshaping society."
Chinese: 科技革命势不可挡，正在重塑社会。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
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胸有成竹
xiōng yǒu chéng zhú
Have clear plan beforehand
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步步为营
bù bù wéi yíng
Advance methodically with caution
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退避三舍
tuì bì sān shè
Make concessions to avoid conflict
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旁敲侧击
páng qiāo cè jī
Approach indirectly to achieve goal
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暗度陈仓
àn dù chén cāng
Achieve secretly through misdirection
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釜底抽薪
fǔ dǐ chōu xīn
Eliminate root cause of problem
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推波助澜
tuī bō zhù lán
Amplifying existing trends or momentum
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 势不可挡 mean in English?
势不可挡 (shì bù kě dǎng) literally translates to “Momentum that cannot be blocked” and is used to express “Unstoppable; irresistible momentum”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 势不可挡 used?
Situation: The technological revolution is an unstoppable force reshaping society.
What is the pinyin for 势不可挡?
The pinyin pronunciation for 势不可挡 is “shì bù kě dǎng”.