📖 Meaning
Riding a galloping horse while practicing swordplay. It describes a person who trains in martial arts by riding horses and wielding swords. The idiom conveys a lively, vigorous image of someone devoted to martial pursuits.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Mencius (孟子), a Warring States period text by Meng Ke (孟子). In the chapter 'Teng Wen Gong I,' Mencius recalls that in his younger days he had not yet devoted himself to learning and instead loved to gallop on horseback and practice swordsmanship. This candid admission highlights the contrast between his early martial interests and his later scholarly achievements, making the phrase a vivid depiction of youthful martial enthusiasm.
💡 Example Usage
他自幼好驰马试剑，练就一身好武艺。
From a young age he loved galloping on horseback and practicing swordplay, mastering formidable martial arts.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 驰马试剑
- Pinyin: chí mǎ shì jiàn
- Literal Translation: gallop, horse, test, sword
- Category: Skill
- Characters: 4