📖 Meaning
Troops are strong and commanders are fierce. It describes a powerful, well-trained, and formidable military force. Often used to praise an army's overall combat strength.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase appears in Ming dynasty author Shi Nai'an's novel 'Water Margin' (水浒全传), Chapter 107, where it describes Song Jiang's rebel forces as having brave commanders and strong soldiers as they captured the cities of Wanzhou and Shannan. It reflects traditional Chinese military thinking that victory depends on both the quality of the rank-and-file and the courage of the leadership. The idiom has since been used to describe any powerful and well-led army.
💡 Example Usage
这支军队兵强将勇，屡战屡胜，令敌人闻风丧胆。
This army, with strong soldiers and brave commanders, won battle after battle and struck fear into its enemies.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 兵强将勇
- Pinyin: bīng qiáng àng yǒng
- Literal Translation: soldiers, strong, generals, brave
- Category: Power
- Characters: 4