南征北战

南征北戰

nánzhēng-běizhàn

idiom

Meanings

1 to campaign on all fronts
2 to fight battles north and south
3 to see extensive combat

Characters

campaign, expedition

Examples

HSK 3

他年轻时南征北战，走遍了全国。

Tā niánqīng shí nánzhēng-běizhàn, zǒubiàn le quánguó.

In his youth he fought across the country, traveling everywhere.

HSK 7-9

这位老将军南征北战，立下赫赫战功。

Zhè wèi lǎo jiāngjūn nánzhēng-běizhàn, lìxià hèhè zhàngōng.

This veteran general campaigned on every front and earned illustrious merit.

HSK 7-9

我们球队南征北战，最终夺冠。

Wǒmen qiúduì nánzhēng-běizhàn, zuìzhōng duóguàn.

Our team fought battles everywhere and finally took the championship.

Tips

history

From Liu Zongyuan's Tang-dynasty essay 《封建论》. Originally described actual military campaigns; today extended to any grueling back-and-forth effort (sports, business, touring).

culture

《南征北战》 is also the title of a famous 1952 Chinese war film set during the Chinese Civil War - the phrase is deeply embedded in PRC cinema and military culture.

Stroke Order

南 nán

征 zhēng

北 běi

战 zhàn