勇冠三军
勇冠三军 (yǒng guàn sān jūn) literally means “bravery crowns the army” and expresses “unmatched bravery”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: yong guan san jun, yong guan san jun,勇冠三军 meaning, 勇冠三军 in english
Unmatched bravery
Pronunciation: yǒng guàn sān jūn Literal meaning: Bravery crowns the army
Origin & Usage
The idiom 勇冠三军 (yǒng guàn sān jūn) originates from the Han dynasty, specifically from a letter by Li Ling to Su Wu, where it was used to describe the exceptional bravery of Li Guang, a renowned general. The phrase paints a vivid picture of someone whose courage (勇, yǒng) surpasses (冠, guàn) that of the entire army (三军, sān jūn). Historically, it highlights an individual's unmatched valor in military contexts. In modern usage, this idiom is employed to praise someone who stands out due to their extraordinary bravery or leadership in any competitive field, such as sports or business, where their courage and perseverance lead them to the forefront.
Examples
English: "His courage in the face of adversity made him a leader among his peers."
Chinese: 他在逆境中的勇气使他成为同龄人中的领袖。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
一鸣惊人
yī míng jīng rén
Sudden, remarkable success
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百折不挠
bǎi zhé bù náo
Unshakeable despite adversity
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水滴石穿
shuǐ dī shí chuān
Persistence achieves anything
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门庭若市
mén tíng ruò shì
Extremely popular
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天道酬勤
tiān dào chóu qín
Heaven rewards diligence
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破釜沉舟
pò fǔ chén zhōu
Commit with no retreat
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守时如金
shǒu shí rú jīn
Value time preciously
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青出于蓝
qīng chū yú lán
Student surpasses master
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 勇冠三军 mean in English?
勇冠三军 (yǒng guàn sān jūn) literally translates to “Bravery crowns the army” and is used to express “Unmatched bravery”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 勇冠三军 used?
Situation: His courage in the face of adversity made him a leader among his peers.
What is the pinyin for 勇冠三军?
The pinyin pronunciation for 勇冠三军 is “yǒng guàn sān jūn”.