📖 Meaning
A jun was an ancient Chinese unit of weight equal to thirty jin (catties). This idiom describes an extremely heavy burden or a tremendously significant responsibility. It conveys the crushing weight of duty or obligation that one must bear.
📜 Origin Story
The concept traces back to 'The Book of Lord Shang' (商君书), a Legalist text from the Warring States period attributed to Shang Yang. In the chapter 'Cuo Fa' (错法), it references Wu Huo, a legendary strongman of the Qin state who could lift a weight of a thousand jun yet could not transfer his great strength to others. The image of such an enormous weight came to symbolize crushing burdens or grave responsibilities that weigh upon a person.
💡 Example Usage
作为企业的领导者，他肩上承担着千钧重负。
As the leader of the enterprise, he bears an immense burden of responsibility on his shoulders.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 千钧重负
- Pinyin: qiān jūn zhòng fù
- Literal Translation: thousand, jun(ancient weight unit, ~30 catties), heavy, burden
- Category: Condition
- Characters: 4