狭路相逢

狹路相逢
xiálù-xiāngféng
idiom #40,733

Meanings

  1. 1 to meet face to face on a narrow path
  2. 2 (of enemies or rivals) to come face to face with no room to avoid each other

Examples

HSK 3
Liǎng zhī lǎo duìshǒu zài juésài zhōng xiálùxiāngféng.
The two old rivals came face to face in the final.
HSK 5
Méixiǎngdào zài zhè jiā xiǎo cānguǎn hé qián lǎobǎn xiálùxiāngféng.
I never expected to run into my old boss in this little restaurant.
HSK 6
Xiálùxiāngféng yǒng zhě shèng, guānjiàn shíkè jiùyào gǎn pīn.
When rivals meet on a narrow path, the brave one wins - at critical moments you have to dare to fight.

Tips

culture
The fuller saying 狭路相逢勇者 (when rivals meet, the brave one wins) is widely quoted in sports, business, and military contexts.
history
From the Han-dynasty 乐府 poem 《相逢行》: 相逢狭路间道隘不容车 - meeting on a road too narrow even for a cart to pass.

Stroke Order

xiá
xiāng
féng