短兵相接

duǎnbīng-xiāngjiē

idiom #39,875

Meanings

1 to fight at close quarters
2 hand-to-hand combat
3 fierce direct confrontation

Characters

weapon; soldier

to meet, engage

Examples

HSK 4

辩论到了短兵相接的阶段。

Biànlùn dào le duǎnbīng-xiāngjiē de jiēduàn.

The debate has reached the stage of direct confrontation.

HSK 6

两军短兵相接，战斗异常激烈。

Liǎng jūn duǎnbīng-xiāngjiē, zhàndòu yìcháng jīliè.

The two armies clashed at close quarters in extremely fierce combat.

Tips

history

From Qu Yuan's 《九歌·国殇》 (Warring States era, Chu) - 车错毂兮短兵接 describes chariots locked and warriors fighting with short swords. One of the oldest Chinese idioms still in daily use.

Stroke Order

短 duǎn

兵 bīng

相 xiāng

接 jiē