CHENGYU
十拿九稳(shí ná jiǔ wěn)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- neutral
- Source:
- 明·阮大铖《燕子笺·购幸》
MEANING
- Literal
- nine in ten grasps are sure
- Figurative meaning
- almost certain; a sure thing
ORIGIN STORY
From the Ming play The Swallow's Letter: a scheme is praised as "sure in nine grasps out of ten — a plan that cannot miss". The count lets one slip in ten for modesty — but only one.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“a shoo-in”
EXAMPLES
这场比赛我们十拿九稳。Zhè chǎng bǐsài wǒmen shí ná jiǔ wěn.HSK6
This match is nine parts in ten ours.
以他的实力，通过考试十拿九稳。Yǐ tā de shílì, tōngguò kǎoshì shí ná jiǔ wěn.HSK6
With his ability, passing the exam is a sure thing.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: It is very likely but not absolutely certain — never use it where the outcome is already settled.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01