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
三军 is the full establishment of an ancient army, its three divisions, so to crown (冠) all three with one's courage (勇) is to be the bravest man in the entire force. The phrase comes from the letter attributed to Li Ling writing to Su Wu, praising the general Li Guang. It has stayed close to its origins and remains distinctly martial. Genuine physical courage is the sense, and applying it to a boardroom would sound like deliberate hyperbole.
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
急流勇进
jí liú yǒng jìn
Advance boldly through difficulty
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勇往直前
yǒng wǎng zhí qián
Persevere with courage
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自告奋勇
zì gào fèn yǒng
Volunteer bravely; step forward willingly
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急流勇退
jí liú yǒng tuì
Retire at the peak; know when to quit
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见义勇为
jiàn yì yǒng wéi
Courageous moral action
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绕梁三日
rào liáng sān rì
Lasting impact of performance
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一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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举一反三
jǔ yī fǎn sān
Learn many from one example
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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”.