📖 Meaning
Describes someone with a heroic, vigorous, and spirited bearing. Often used of soldiers, athletes, or anyone whose appearance radiates martial energy and confidence. The phrase conveys both outward handsomeness and an inner sense of readiness.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from a poem by the Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu titled 'Danqing Yin Zeng Cao Jiangjun Ba' (A Song of Painting Presented to General Cao Ba). Du Fu praises Cao Ba's vivid portraits of two celebrated Tang generals, Duan Zhixuan (Duke of Bao) and Yuchi Jingde (Duke of E), whose painted figures seem to come alive with bristling hair and heroic posture as if charging into fierce battle. The line '褒公鄂公毛发动，英姿飒爽来酣战' immortalizes the generals' martial spirit through the painter's art.
💡 Example Usage
阅兵式上，女兵们英姿飒爽地走过天安门广场。
At the military parade, the female soldiers marched past Tiananmen Square with heroic and spirited bearing.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 英姿飒爽
- Pinyin: yīng zī sà shuǎng
- Literal Translation: heroic posture, valiant and crisp
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4