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
The idiom 先发制人 (xiān fā zhì rén) originates from the historical context of the late Qin Dynasty, as recorded in the 'Records of the Grand Historian' (史记) by Sima Qian. In 209 BCE, during the uprising against the Qin Dynasty, Xiang Liang and his nephew Xiang Yu were strategizing their next move. Xiang Liang advised that by taking the initiative (先发, xiān fā), they could control (制, zhì) their opponents (人, rén). This strategic insight led them to act decisively, ultimately contributing to their temporary success against the Qin forces. The idiom emphasizes the importance of taking the initiative to gain control over a situation. In modern usage, it is applied in various contexts such as business, politics, and personal decision-making, where acting first can provide a strategic advantage.
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
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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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鹬蚌相争
yù bàng xiāng zhēng
Mutual conflict benefits third party
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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”.