CHENGYU
四面楚歌(sì miàn chǔ gē)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- literary
- Source:
- 《史记·项羽本纪》
MEANING
- Literal
- Chu songs on all four sides
- Figurative meaning
- to be surrounded by enemies and cut off from help
ORIGIN STORY
Encamped at Gaixia, the warlord Xiang Yu heard the songs of his homeland Chu rising from the surrounding Han camp. "Have they taken Chu already?" he cried — his army was lost, and so was his cause.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“to be surrounded on all sides”
EXAMPLES
这家公司四面楚歌，竞争对手都在抢它的客户。Zhè jiā gōngsī sì miàn chǔ gē, jìngzhēng duìshǒu dōu zài qiǎng tā de kèhù.HSK6
The company hears Chu songs on all sides — competitors are taking its customers.
陷入丑闻后，他四面楚歌。Xiànrù chǒuwén hòu, tā sì miàn chǔ gē.HSK6
After the scandal, he found himself surrounded on all sides.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: Note the reading: 楚 is chǔ. It means being encircled, not just having many problems.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01