先发制人
先发制人 (xiān fā zhì rén) literally means “act first to control others” and expresses “seize initiative”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: xian fa zhi ren, xian fa zhi ren,先发制人 meaning, 先发制人 in english
Seize initiative
Pronunciation: xiān fā zhì rén Literal meaning: Act first to control others
Origin & Usage
As the risings against Qin spread in 209 BCE, the Kuaiji governor Yin Tong proposed rebelling and put the maxim to Xiang Liang: 先即制人，后则为人所制 — strike first (先发) and you control (制) other men (人); strike late and other men control you. He offered Xiang Liang a command in the rising. Xiang Liang took the advice and not the partnership: he gave his nephew Xiang Yu a look, Xiang Yu drew and beheaded the governor where he sat, and they held the commandery by evening. The man who spoke the line was killed for not acting on it fast enough. The phrase is neutral about whether the aggression is justified — it is about tempo, not about right — and it is used in business and litigation as readily as in war.
Examples
English: "In negotiations, it's crucial to take the initiative to set the terms."
Chinese: 在谈判中，先发制人是至关重要的。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
胸有成竹
xiōng yǒu chéng zhú
Have clear plan beforehand
Learn more →
步步为营
bù bù wéi yíng
Advance methodically with caution
Learn more →
退避三舍
tuì bì sān shè
Make concessions to avoid conflict
Learn more →
旁敲侧击
páng qiāo cè jī
Approach indirectly to achieve goal
Learn more →
暗度陈仓
àn dù chén cāng
Achieve secretly through misdirection
Learn more →
釜底抽薪
fǔ dǐ chōu xīn
Eliminate root cause of problem
Learn more →
推波助澜
tuī bō zhù lán
Amplifying existing trends or momentum
Learn more →
鹬蚌相争
yù bàng xiāng zhēng
Mutual conflict benefits third party
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 先发制人 mean in English?
先发制人 (xiān fā zhì rén) literally translates to “Act first to control others” and is used to express “Seize initiative”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 先发制人 used?
Situation: In negotiations, it's crucial to take the initiative to set the terms.
What is the pinyin for 先发制人?
The pinyin pronunciation for 先发制人 is “xiān fā zhì rén”.