卧虎藏龙
卧虎藏龙 (wò hǔ cáng lóng) literally means “crouching tiger, hidden dragon” and expresses “hidden talents or extraordinary people in an unassuming place”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: wo hu cang long, wo hu cang long,卧虎藏龙 meaning, 卧虎藏龙 in english
Hidden talents or extraordinary people in an unassuming place
Pronunciation: wò hǔ cáng lóng Literal meaning: Crouching tiger, hidden dragon
Origin & Usage
Yu Xin of the Northern Zhou wrote 暗石疑藏虎，盘根似卧龙 — dark stones seem to hide tigers, gnarled roots resemble a reclining dragon — and the halves were later compressed into one phrase: a crouching (卧) tiger (虎), a hidden (藏) dragon (龙). It names a place where formidable people are present and unrecognised, which is how Zhuge Liang is remembered before Liu Bei found him living on Wolong Hill. Ang Lee's 2000 film took the title, and the pun is in the names: Yu Jiaolong (玉娇龙) carries the dragon and Lo Xiaohu (罗小虎) the tiger. An organisation or a small town whose people turn out to be far more capable than the surface suggests.
Examples
English: "This quiet neighborhood is full of hidden talent — a true case of crouching tiger, hidden dragon."
Chinese: 江湖里卧虎藏龙，人心里何尝不是？
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
笑里藏刀
xiào lǐ cáng dāo
Hide malice behind smile
Learn more →
卧薪尝胆
wò xīn cháng dǎn
Endure hardship for future success
Learn more →
虎踞龙盘
hǔ jù lóng pán
Commanding imposing strategic position
Learn more →
龙腾虎跃
lóng téng hǔ yuè
A scene of vigorous activity
Learn more →
生龙活虎
shēng lóng huó hǔ
Full of energy
Learn more →
心诚则灵
xīn chéng zé líng
Genuine sincerity brings results; a faithful heart makes wishes come true
Learn more →
画龙点睛
huà lóng diǎn jīng
Add crucial finishing touch
Learn more →
来龙去脉
lái lóng qù mài
The whole story; causes and effects
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 卧虎藏龙 mean in English?
卧虎藏龙 (wò hǔ cáng lóng) literally translates to “Crouching tiger, hidden dragon” and is used to express “Hidden talents or extraordinary people in an unassuming place”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 卧虎藏龙 used?
Situation: This quiet neighborhood is full of hidden talent — a true case of crouching tiger, hidden dragon.
What is the pinyin for 卧虎藏龙?
The pinyin pronunciation for 卧虎藏龙 is “wò hǔ cáng lóng”.