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三分天下有其二

sān fēn tiānxià yǒu qí èr
quotation

Meanings

  1. 1 to hold two of the three parts of the world
  2. 2 to command an overwhelming share of power or territory
  3. 3 (lit.) dividing the realm in three, possessing two of them

Examples

HSK 7-9
这家公司已经三分天下有其二，同行难以望其项背。
Zhè jiā gōngsī yǐjīng sānfēntiānxiàyǒuqí'èr, tóngháng nányǐ wàngqíxiàngbèi.
This company already holds two-thirds of the market - competitors can hardly keep up.
HSK 7-9
周文王三分天下有其二，仍以服事殷。
Zhōu Wén wáng sānfēntiānxiàyǒuqí'èr, réng yǐ fú shì Yīn.
King Wen of Zhou held two-thirds of the realm, yet still served the Yin (Shang).

Tips

history
From 《论语·泰伯》: 三分天下有其二，以服事殷，周之德，其可谓至德也已矣。(Holding two-thirds of the realm yet still serving the Yin - the virtue of Zhou may truly be called the highest virtue.) Confucius praises King Wen (周文王) for restraint: though powerful enough to topple the Shang, he refused to rebel against his nominal overlord.
usage
Originally about political-military dominance and restraint; today often used in business contexts for market dominance. Don't confuse with 三国 (Three Kingdoms) 'dividing the realm into three' (三分天下 as a goal).

Stroke Order

三 sān
分 fēn
天 tiān
下 xià
有 yǒu
其 qí
二 èr