📖 Meaning
It describes a group that is large in number and therefore formidable in strength and momentum. The idiom emphasizes how numerical superiority translates into imposing power and influence.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from Cao Xueqin's Qing Dynasty novel 'Dream of the Red Chamber' (红楼梦), specifically the tenth chapter. In the scene, Jin Rong, outnumbered and overpowered by a larger group, is forced by Jia Rui to apologize and kowtow to Qin Zhong before Baoyu stops his uproar. The passage illustrates how overwhelming numbers can compel someone into submission.
💡 Example Usage
对方人多势众，我们还是先撤退为好。
They have superior numbers and strength, so we had better retreat for now.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 人多势众
- Pinyin: rén duō shì zhòng
- Literal Translation: people, many, power, heavy
- Category: Power
- Characters: 4