两虎相争(兩虎相爭)
两虎相争 (liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng) literally means “two tigers fight”and expresses “fierce competition between equals”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: liang hu xiang zheng, liang hu xiang zheng,两虎相争 meaning, 两虎相争 in english
Pronunciation: liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng Literal meaning: Two tigers fight
Origin & Usage
The image of two (两) tigers (虎) fighting (相争) comes from ancient observations of territorial conflicts, documented in early Chinese zoological texts. The original context appears in strategic texts discussing how such conflicts inevitably result in injury to both parties. The phrase gained prominence during the Warring States period as a metaphor for mutually destructive conflict between powerful states. Contemporary usage warns against destructive competition, particularly in business or politics, where fierce rivalry can damage both parties while benefiting opportunistic observers.
When to Use
Situation: When the two star players fought for team leadership, it damaged team morale and performance
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
千里迢迢
qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo
Travel a great distance
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民富国强
mín fù guó qiáng
Prosperous people and powerful nation
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国泰民安
guó tài mín ān
National peace and public security
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太平盛世
tài píng shèng shì
Golden age of peace and prosperity
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四海升平
sì hǎi shēng píng
Peace everywhere; universal harmony
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安土重迁
ān tǔ zhòng qiān
Prefer stability; reluctant to relocate
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故土难离
gù tǔ nán lí
Hard to leave one's homeland
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落叶归根
luò yè guī gēn
Return to one's roots; go back home
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 两虎相争 mean in English?
两虎相争 (liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng) literally translates to “Two tigers fight”and is used to express “Fierce competition between equals”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theLife Philosophy category..
When is 两虎相争 used?
Situation: When the two star players fought for team leadership, it damaged team morale and performance
What is the pinyin for 两虎相争?
The pinyin pronunciation for 两虎相争 is “liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng”.
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