泰山压顶
泰山压顶 (tài shān yā dǐng) literally means “mount tai pressing on the head” and expresses “overwhelming pressure; imminent disaster”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: tai shan ya ding, tai shan ya ding,泰山压顶 meaning, 泰山压顶 in english
Overwhelming pressure; imminent disaster
Pronunciation: tài shān yā dǐng
Literal meaning: Mount Tai pressing on the head
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes Mount Tai (泰山), China's most sacred mountain, pressing (压) on one's head (顶). The image of China's most famous mountain crushing down represents overwhelming pressure or catastrophic threat. Mount Tai symbolizes weight and authority in Chinese culture. The phrase appeared in martial arts and adventure literature describing dire situations. Modern usage describes extreme pressure, overwhelming challenges, or critical situations that feel crushing.
Examples
English: "The enormous pressure of the deadline weighed heavily on the team."
Chinese: 截止日期的压力如泰山压顶。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 泰山压顶 mean in English?
泰山压顶 (tài shān yā dǐng) literally translates to “Mount Tai pressing on the head” and is used to express “Overwhelming pressure; imminent disaster”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 泰山压顶 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving overwhelming pressure; imminent disaster.
What is the pinyin for 泰山压顶?
The pinyin pronunciation for 泰山压顶 is “tài shān yā dǐng”.