疾風知勁草
简 疾风知劲草 · 繁 疾風知勁草Meanings
- lit. sturdy grass withstands high winds (idiom)
- fig. strength of character is revealed in a crisis
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Mandarin tones
2–1–1–4–3 · ji2 feng1 zhi1 jing4 cao3
Compare attested words with these syllables ↗Dictionary tones. Connected speech can change their realization.
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Read this spelling in Classical texts
Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.
疾風知勁草 · find source passages ↗ · 疾风知劲草 · find source passages ↗
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Rime Cantonese 粵拼
zat6 fung1 zi1 ging6 cou2
Cantonese word readings for 疾風知勁草. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.
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Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section
Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.
phrase
- (idiomatic) only the toughest grass can withstand strong winds
- (figuratively) to show one's true colors after a stern test; a steadfast and staunch person unyielding in their integrity
Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history
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