各自为战

各自為戰

gèzì-wéizhàn

idiom #35,831

Meanings

1 each fights on their own (idiom)
2 to act independently without coordination

Characters

to act as; engage in

to fight; battle

Examples

HSK 7-9

几个部门各自为战，效率自然低下。

Jǐ gè bùmén gèzì-wéizhàn, xiàolǜ zìrán dīxià.

When departments each fight their own battle, efficiency naturally suffers.

HSK 7-9

不能各自为战，我们需要协作。

Bùnéng gèzì-wéizhàn, wǒmen xūyào xiézuò.

We can't each fight alone - we need to collaborate.

Tips

history

From 《史记·项羽本纪》: Zhang Liang advises Liu Bang to grant territory to Han Xin and Peng Yue 使各自为战 - 'let each fight his own war' - so they'd commit fully against Xiang Yu. Military origin, now usually negative (uncoordinated action).

Stroke Order

各 gè

自 zì

为 wéi

战 zhàn