举足轻重
Pivotal; decisive
حرفيًا: 举 (lift) 足 (foot) 轻 (light) 重 (heavy)
Use this to describe a person whose presence or absence changes everything.
في 15 ثانية
- Used for people or things with massive influence.
- Describes a 'pivotal' role that tips the scales.
- Common in business, politics, and serious sports commentary.
المعنى
It describes someone or something so influential that their smallest action can change the entire situation. It is like being the person who stands on a scale and decides which way it tips.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 7Discussing a tech giant's market influence
这家公司在半导体行业有着举足轻重的地位。
This company holds a pivotal position in the semiconductor industry.
Talking about a star basketball player
他是球队的核心，起着举足轻重的作用。
He is the core of the team and plays a decisive role.
Texting a friend about the only person who can cook
今晚的聚会，大厨张三可是举足轻重的人物！
For tonight's party, Chef Zhang San is the pivotal figure!
خلفية ثقافية
Originating from the 'Book of the Later Han', this phrase refers to General Dou Rong, whose military support was the deciding factor in the civil war. It reflects the Chinese cultural emphasis on 'balance' and the idea that a single key element can stabilize or disrupt an entire system.
The 'Status' Collocation
If you are stuck, just pair it with `地位` (dìwèi). Saying someone has a `举足轻重的地位` is the most natural way to use it 90% of the time.
Don't Mix with 举重若轻
They look similar! But `举重若轻` means 'handling a difficult task as if it were easy.' It is about skill, while `举足轻重` is about influence.
في 15 ثانية
- Used for people or things with massive influence.
- Describes a 'pivotal' role that tips the scales.
- Common in business, politics, and serious sports commentary.
What It Means
Imagine a massive balance scale. One person stands right in the center. If they shift their weight slightly, the scale tips. That is exactly what 举足轻重 feels like. It describes someone whose every move is vital. Their influence is so large it changes the outcome. It is not just about being important. It is about being the deciding factor. You are the person who holds the power.
How To Use It
You will mostly see this phrase with 地位 or 作用. These mean "status" and "role" respectively. You can say someone "occupies a 举足轻重 position." Or you can say they "play a 举足轻重 role." It acts like a very strong adjective. It adds a layer of respect and gravity. Use it when you want to sound professional. It shows you understand the power dynamics.
When To Use It
This is perfect for the boardroom. Use it to describe a key investor. It is great for political analysis too. Talk about a country's role in global trade. It also works for star athletes. If a team collapses without one player, use it. You can even use it in your personal life. Maybe one friend is the "glue" of the group. Without them, the group falls apart.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this for trivial daily choices. Choosing between tea or coffee is not 举足轻重. Unless that choice starts a war! Do not use it for short-term trends. It implies a deep, structural kind of importance. If you use it for a sandwich, people will laugh. It is too "heavy" for lighthearted topics. Keep it for things that truly matter.
Cultural Background
This idiom has a very cool history. It dates back to the Eastern Han Dynasty. There was a powerful general named Dou Rong. Two rival leaders were fighting for control. Dou Rong was caught in the middle. He had a massive, elite army. Everyone knew his choice would decide the winner. A famous advisor told him his move was pivotal. His "foot" literally decided the weight of history.
Common Variations
This is a classic four-character chengyu. You should not change the characters. However, people often confuse it with 举重若轻. That sounds similar but means handling hard tasks easily. Do not mix them up! One is about influence, the other is about skill. You might also hear 至关重要. That means "crucially important." But 举足轻重 sounds much more vivid and historical.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This is a high-level C1 expression. It carries a formal tone and is best used in professional, academic, or serious social discussions to describe structural influence.
The 'Status' Collocation
If you are stuck, just pair it with `地位` (dìwèi). Saying someone has a `举足轻重的地位` is the most natural way to use it 90% of the time.
Don't Mix with 举重若轻
They look similar! But `举重若轻` means 'handling a difficult task as if it were easy.' It is about skill, while `举足轻重` is about influence.
The Power of the Foot
In ancient China, 'lifting a foot' was a metaphor for making a move. This idiom reminds us that even a small step by a powerful person can change history.
أمثلة
7这家公司在半导体行业有着举足轻重的地位。
This company holds a pivotal position in the semiconductor industry.
Uses the common structure 'in [field] has a [phrase] position'.
他是球队的核心，起着举足轻重的作用。
He is the core of the team and plays a decisive role.
Highlights how the team depends on this specific individual.
今晚的聚会，大厨张三可是举足轻重的人物！
For tonight's party, Chef Zhang San is the pivotal figure!
A slightly hyperbolic use to show how much they need the cook.
掌握了WiFi密码的你，现在真是举足轻重啊。
Now that you have the Wi-Fi password, you are truly a person of great weight.
Using a formal idiom for a trivial power struggle creates humor.
母亲在家庭中一直处于举足轻重的地位。
Mother has always held a pivotal position in our family.
Shows deep respect and emotional weight.
这次合作对我们未来的发展举足轻重。
This cooperation is of decisive importance to our future development.
Used directly as a predicate to describe the importance of an event.
他的证词对这个案件来说举足轻重。
His testimony is pivotal to this case.
Standard formal usage in a serious context.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct phrase to describe a key player in a company.
作为首席架构师，他在公司里有着___的地位。
`举足轻重` fits because an architect holds a pivotal, influential position. `轻而易举` means 'easy' and `微不足道` means 'insignificant'.
Complete the sentence to emphasize the importance of a decision.
这个决定对公司的未来___。
`举足轻重` describes a decision that will tip the scales for the company's future.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality and Context Spectrum
Used sarcastically or for extreme emphasis with friends.
The friend with the car is 'pivotal'.
Common in sports or hobby groups.
The star player's role.
Standard in news, business, and politics.
A country's economic status.
Academic papers or historical analysis.
The impact of a historical treaty.
When to use 举足轻重
Corporate Strategy
A key merger.
Team Sports
The MVP player.
International Relations
A superpower nation.
Family Dynamics
The matriarch/patriarch.
Legal Trials
The key evidence.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYou can use it for both! It is common for countries 国家, companies 公司, or even specific industries 行业. For example: 旅游业在当地经济中举足轻重 (Tourism is pivotal to the local economy).
It is a bit formal, but you can use it jokingly. If a friend is the only one who can drive, texting 你现在举足轻重 is a funny way to say 'we are stranded without you!'
重要 just means important. 举足轻重 is much stronger. It implies that the person is the 'key' or 'decisive' factor that changes the whole balance.
You say 举足轻重的作用 (jǔzúqīngzhòng de zuòyòng). This is a very common set phrase in business Chinese.
Not exactly, but you can use 微不足道 (wēibùzúdào) as an antonym. It means 'insignificant' or 'not worth mentioning'.
It sounds a bit clinical for romance. Instead of 你在我心里举足轻重, it is more natural to say 你在我心里非常重要 or 你是我的全部.
Yes, constantly! You will hear it in news reports about trade wars, elections, or major tech breakthroughs.
No, not physically! The 'heavy' and 'light' refer to the balance of power or the weight of the situation, not body weight.
Usually, we don't use 很 or 非常 with idioms. The idiom itself already implies 'extremely.' Just say 有着举足轻重的地位.
Just remember 'lifting a foot' (举足). If you remember that the foot move changes the 'weight' (轻重), the rest follows!
عبارات ذات صلة
至关重要 (zhìguān zhòngyào) - Crucially important
不可或缺 (bùkě huòquē) - Indispensable
大名鼎鼎 (dàmíng dǐngdǐng) - Very famous/influential
微不足道 (wēibù zúdào) - Insignificant (Antonym)
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