📖 Meaning
When a knife strikes, the bamboo immediately splits apart. It describes matters that proceed smoothly and are resolved effortlessly without obstacles. The idiom conveys a sense of seamless, friction-free success.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Qing dynasty novel Qilu Yuan (歧路灯) by Li Lüyuan (李绿园), specifically the fifth chapter. In the original passage, the narrator remarks that afterward matters were accomplished as smoothly as 'water finding its channel and the knife splitting bamboo.' The phrase became a vivid metaphor drawn from the everyday observation that a sharp blade striking bamboo causes it to cleave instantly along its grain. It has since been used to describe undertakings that meet little resistance and reach completion with ease.
💡 Example Usage
有了周密的方案，这次谈判果然刀过竹解，双方很快就达成了协议。
With a thorough plan in place, the negotiations proceeded as smoothly as a knife splitting bamboo, and the two sides reached an agreement quickly.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 刀过竹解
- Pinyin: dāo guò zhú jiě
- Literal Translation: knife, passes, bamboo, splits
- Category: Success
- Characters: 4