势如破竹
Like splitting bamboo
Littéralement: Power/momentum (势) like (如) splitting (破) bamboo (竹)
Use this to describe an unstoppable, rapid success where momentum does all the heavy lifting.
En 15 secondes
- Unstoppable momentum that crushes all obstacles with ease.
- Like splitting bamboo: the first crack leads to a total split.
- Used for sports, business, and military successes.
Signification
Imagine you're splitting a piece of bamboo. Once the first joint cracks, the rest splits effortlessly all the way down. This phrase describes a situation where you've gained so much momentum that nothing can stop you from winning or finishing.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Talking about a sports team's winning streak
我们的球队在季后赛中势如破竹，连赢了五场。
Our team has been unstoppable in the playoffs, winning five games in a row.
Discussing a company's market expansion
这家公司的新产品在市场上势如破竹，销售额翻了一番。
This company's new product is sweeping the market; sales have doubled.
Texting a friend about finishing work fast
今天状态太好了，写报告势如破竹，一小时就搞定了！
I'm in the zone today; I crushed this report in just an hour!
Contexte culturel
The phrase originated during the Three Kingdoms/Jin Dynasty transition. General Du Yu used this analogy to convince his emperor to continue a military campaign during the rainy season. It highlights the traditional Chinese strategic emphasis on 'Shi' (势), or the inherent power of a situation's momentum.
The 'Shi' Factor
The first character `势` (shì) is a huge concept in Chinese culture. It means momentum, power, or 'the way the wind is blowing.' Use this phrase when you feel the universe is pushing you forward.
Don't force it
Avoid using this for things that are naturally slow. You can't grow a tree `势如破竹`. It must involve a process that can actually 'speed up' or 'break through'.
En 15 secondes
- Unstoppable momentum that crushes all obstacles with ease.
- Like splitting bamboo: the first crack leads to a total split.
- Used for sports, business, and military successes.
What It Means
Think of a hot knife through butter. 势如破竹 describes an unstoppable force. It is that magical moment when all obstacles vanish. You aren't just winning; you are steamrolling the competition. The momentum is so high that the outcome is certain. It feels like gravity is finally on your side.
How To Use It
You usually use this as a predicate or an adverb. You can say a team's progress is 势如破竹. Or you can say they advanced 势如破竹-ly. It often follows verbs like 进攻 (attack) or 发展 (develop). It sounds powerful and confident. Use it when the hard part is over. Now, you are just enjoying the downhill slide to victory.
When To Use It
This is perfect for sports and business. Did your favorite team win five games in a row? Use it. Did your startup just sign ten clients in a week? Definitely use it. It works great in news headlines or project updates. It’s also good for personal achievements. Maybe you’re crushing your HSK vocabulary list today. Tell your friend your study progress is 势如破竹!
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for slow, steady progress. If you are struggling, this isn't the phrase. It implies speed and ease. Also, avoid using it for tiny, mundane tasks. Washing two dishes isn't 势如破竹. It’s too grand for small chores. Using it for a failing situation sounds sarcastic. Unless you’re joking, keep it for the big wins.
Cultural Background
This comes from the *Book of Jin*. A famous general named Du Yu used it. He was invading the Wu Kingdom. Some officers wanted to stop for the winter. Du Yu argued they had the momentum. He compared their army to splitting bamboo. He said after the first few joints, it splits itself. He was right, and they won quickly. It’s been a staple of military and success talk ever since.
Common Variations
You might hear 所向披靡. That means 'mowing down everything in one's path.' It’s very similar but even more aggressive. Another is 节节胜利, which means 'winning victory after victory.' 势如破竹 is unique because it focuses on the momentum. It’s about the physics of success. It’s that 'unstoppable' feeling.
Notes d'usage
This is a high-level (C1) idiom. It is technically formal but very common in daily media. The main 'gotcha' is using it for things that lack power or intensity; it requires a sense of 'force' to be used correctly.
The 'Shi' Factor
The first character `势` (shì) is a huge concept in Chinese culture. It means momentum, power, or 'the way the wind is blowing.' Use this phrase when you feel the universe is pushing you forward.
Don't force it
Avoid using this for things that are naturally slow. You can't grow a tree `势如破竹`. It must involve a process that can actually 'speed up' or 'break through'.
The Bamboo Connection
In China, bamboo is tough but once it splits, it goes fast. This phrase isn't just about speed; it's about overcoming the initial hard resistance to reach a state of ease.
Exemples
6我们的球队在季后赛中势如破竹，连赢了五场。
Our team has been unstoppable in the playoffs, winning five games in a row.
Describes a series of easy victories.
这家公司的新产品在市场上势如破竹，销售额翻了一番。
This company's new product is sweeping the market; sales have doubled.
Shows rapid, effortless commercial success.
今天状态太好了，写报告势如破竹，一小时就搞定了！
I'm in the zone today; I crushed this report in just an hour!
Hyperbolic and enthusiastic use for personal productivity.
他在自助餐厅的表现简直是势如破竹，盘子堆得像山一样。
His performance at the buffet was basically unstoppable; the plates are piled like a mountain.
Uses a grand military idiom for a silly everyday situation.
保持这个劲头，你一定会势如破竹地拿到冠军！
Keep up this energy, and you'll sweep your way to the championship!
Used as an encouraging prediction of success.
大军过处，势如破竹，敌军纷纷投降。
Wherever the army went, they carried all before them, and the enemy surrendered one after another.
Classic usage in a historical or narrative context.
Teste-toi
Choose the best phrase to describe a team that is winning every game easily.
这支球队最近的表现___，没有人能打败他们。
势如破竹 describes unstoppable momentum, which fits a team that no one can beat.
Complete the sentence to describe a successful business launch.
新产品上市后，销售形势___。
In business contexts, this phrase is used to describe sales that are taking off rapidly.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Spectrum of 势如破竹
Used jokingly with friends about small wins.
I finished my laundry '势如破竹'!
Common in sports commentary and news.
The team advanced '势如破竹'.
Used in business reports or historical writing.
The company's expansion was '势如破竹'.
When to use 势如破竹
Sports Winning Streak
Winning 10 games in a row.
Business Growth
Capturing market share rapidly.
Personal Productivity
Finishing all tasks before noon.
Military History
An army taking city after city.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot at all! While it started in military history, today it is most commonly used in sports, business, and even personal productivity like 学习势如破竹.
Yes, you can describe a person's progress or state as 势如破竹. For example: 他在比赛中势如破竹 (He was unstoppable in the match).
It is a bit literary, but using it in a text can make you sound very articulate or even funny if you're using it for something small like 打扫房间势如破竹.
A good opposite would be 举步维艰 (jǔ bù wéi jiān), which means every step is difficult and struggling.
Generally, no. It is almost always positive, though if an 'enemy' is 势如破竹, it describes their terrifying efficiency from your perspective.
It is pronounced 'shì rú pò zhú' in Pinyin. The tones are 4-2-4-2.
It would be quite strange. It implies a 'conquest' or 'crushing' momentum, which isn't very romantic! Stick to 一见钟情 for love.
Close, but 一帆风顺 (smooth sailing) implies no obstacles at all. 势如破竹 implies you are actively breaking through obstacles with great force.
Yes, you can use it as an adjective with 的 to describe a 'smashing victory'.
No, this is a fixed four-character idiom (Chengyu). You should use all four characters together.
Expressions liées
所向披靡
Unstoppable; sweeping all before one.
一帆风顺
Smooth sailing; everything going perfectly.
节节胜利
Winning one victory after another.
锐不可当
An overwhelming momentum that cannot be resisted.
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