虚张声势(虛張聲勢)
虚张声势 (xū zhāng shēng shì) literally means “empty show of strength”and expresses “bluffing with fake display”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships & character.
Also searched as: xu zhang sheng shi, xu zhang sheng shi,虚张声势 meaning, 虚张声势 in english
Pronunciation: xū zhāng shēng shì Literal meaning: Empty show of strength
Origin & Usage
This deceptive idiom describes creating false (虚) displays (张) of power (势) through noise (声), originating from Warring States period military strategy. It described tactics where weaker forces would use drums, flags, and troops movements to appear more numerous than reality. The specific pairing of sound and visual elements referenced actual battlefield deception techniques. During the Han Dynasty, it expanded beyond military contexts to describe political and social bluffing. Unlike terms for simple deception, it specifically addresses creating illusions of power through exaggerated displays. Modern usage describes any attempt to appear more powerful, capable, or significant than reality through exaggerated claims or displays, particularly when attempting to influence others through perception management rather than actual capability.
When to Use
Situation: The small company made grandiose claims about capabilities it couldn't possibly deliver
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 虚张声势 mean in English?
虚张声势 (xū zhāng shēng shì) literally translates to “Empty show of strength”and is used to express “Bluffing with fake display”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theRelationships & Character category..
When is 虚张声势 used?
Situation: The small company made grandiose claims about capabilities it couldn't possibly deliver
What is the pinyin for 虚张声势?
The pinyin pronunciation for 虚张声势 is “xū zhāng shēng shì”.