冲锋陷阵

衝鋒陷陣

chōngfēng-xiànzhèn

idiom #30,622

Meanings

1 to charge ahead and break through enemy lines
2 to fight bravely on the front lines (literal or figurative)

Characters

to charge; rush

spearhead; vanguard

to sink into; to break through

battle formation

Examples

HSK 3

他在公司里总是冲锋陷阵。

Tā zài gōngsī lǐ zǒngshì chōngfēng-xiànzhèn.

He's always the one charging into the breach at the company.

HSK 7-9

战士们冲锋陷阵，毫不畏惧。

Zhànshì men chōngfēng-xiànzhèn, háobù wèijù.

The soldiers charged the enemy lines without fear.

Tips

history

From 《北齐书·崔暹传》 (the Book of Northern Qi, c. 636 CE): 冲锋陷阵，大有其人 ('charging the front and breaking enemy lines, there were plenty such men'). Originally a literal battlefield phrase; now also figurative for taking on the toughest tasks at work or in any struggle.

memory

冲锋 (charge the front) + 陷阵 (sink/penetrate the enemy formation). Picture cavalry crashing through a line of pikes; both halves contribute the same image of forward, decisive attack.

Stroke Order

冲 chōng

锋 fēng

陷 xiàn

阵 zhèn