📖 Meaning
To move mountains and cross vast seas. It is a metaphor for possessing immense, almost superhuman power or strength. The phrase conveys the ability to overcome any natural obstacle.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase comes from the Southern Dynasties period, specifically from Liu Xie's work 'Wen Xin Diao Long' (The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons), written during the Liang dynasty. In the chapter on philosophical texts, Liu Xie noted that the 'Liezi' contains tales of moving mountains and crossing seas, while the 'Huainanzi' speaks of toppling heaven and breaking the earth. He used these examples to illustrate the bold, imaginative nature of ancient philosophical writings.
💡 Example Usage
这支工程队伍拥有移山跨海的能力，再难的地形也能征服。
This engineering team possesses the power to move mountains and cross seas; no terrain is too difficult for them to conquer.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 移山跨海
- Pinyin: yí shān kuà hǎi
- Literal Translation: move mountains, cross seas
- Category: Power
- Characters: 4