箭在弦上 (jiàn zài xián shǎng) — (idiom) an arrow on the bowstring — something is imminent and there is no turning back

Definition

A chengyu meaning a situation is at the point of no return — the action is inevitable, like an arrow already fitted to the bow. Often paired with 不得不发 ('now must be released').

idiom
an arrow on the bowstring — something is imminent and there is no turning back

Examples

  • 箭在弦上，。
    Xiàn zài jiàn zài xián shǎng, wǒ men yǐ jīng méi yǒu tuì lù le.
    Now the arrow is on the bowstring — we have no way back.
  • 箭在弦上，，。
    jiàn zài xián shǎng, Bù dé bù fā, wǒ men zhǐ néng jì xù qián jìn.
    The arrow is on the string and must be released — we can only move forward.
  • 箭在弦上，。
    Qíng kuàng yǐ jīng jiàn zài xián shǎng, dà jiā zhǐ néng quán lì yǐ fù.
    The situation is already like an arrow on the bowstring — everyone can only give it their all.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
竹竹zhúbamboo
Sound part声符shēngfú
前
前qián箭jiàn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The 竹 part points to bamboo, the material of arrows; the 前 part gives the sound.

Open 箭 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

The early form of 在 used 才 for its sound; a second sound part 士 was added later, and that 士 became the 土 seen in 在.

Open 在 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
弓弓gōngbow
Sound part声符shēngfú
玄
玄xuán弦xián
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

弦 uses 弓 (bow) to show what it is about and 玄 to show how it is pronounced.

Open 弦 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

上 is drawn as a short horizontal line placed above a longer arc, marking a position above that arc.

Open 上 →

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