15 सेकंड में
- Taking bold, decisive action to solve big problems.
- Using a 'big sword' approach rather than small tweaks.
- Commonly used for reforms, restructuring, or massive cleaning.
मतलब
Imagine someone swinging a giant broadaxe to clear a path through a thick forest. It describes taking decisive, bold, and often radical action to fix a messy situation or overhaul a system.
मुख्य उदाहरण
3 / 6Discussing a new CEO's strategy
新上任的CEO大刀阔斧地进行了公司重组。
The new CEO carried out a bold restructuring of the company.
Deciding to delete all social media
我决定大刀阔斧地删掉手机里没用的App。
I decided to go all out and delete all the useless apps on my phone.
A city planning meeting
政府正在大刀阔斧地改造这片旧城区。
The government is boldly renovating this old urban district.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
Originating from the Ming Dynasty masterpiece 'Water Margin,' it originally depicted the raw power of warriors. It has evolved to represent the 'Iron Fist' style of leadership often praised in Chinese history during times of chaos. It reflects a societal value for efficiency and the courage to discard the old to make way for the new.
The 'De' Particle
When using it as an adverb, remember to add `地` (de) after the phrase, like `大刀阔斧地改革`.
Don't be too literal
Never use this to describe actual cooking or chopping vegetables, or people will think you're being violent!
15 सेकंड में
- Taking bold, decisive action to solve big problems.
- Using a 'big sword' approach rather than small tweaks.
- Commonly used for reforms, restructuring, or massive cleaning.
What It Means
Think of 大刀阔斧 (dà dāo kuò fǔ) as the ultimate 'power move' idiom. It describes someone who isn't afraid to make deep cuts. They aren't using a tiny scalpel for precision. They are using a massive blade to get results fast. It implies being resolute and fearless when facing complex problems.
How To Use It
You usually use it as an adverbial phrase to describe an action. You’ll often see it paired with verbs like 改革 (gǎigé - reform) or 进行 (jìnxíng - carry out). It fits perfectly when a new boss arrives and fires half the consultants. Or when you finally decide to throw out every piece of junk in your garage.
When To Use It
Use it when the changes are visible and impactful. It’s great for business meetings when discussing a 'pivot.' It’s also perfect for talking about urban planning or government policy. If you are cleaning your room and you throw away your bed, that's 大刀阔斧! It signals that you mean business.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for delicate, subtle, or emotional situations. If you are gently breaking up with someone, this phrase is too aggressive. It’s not for 'fine-tuning' or 'tweaking.' If the change is small or quiet, using this will make you sound like you're overreacting. Avoid it for surgical procedures too—unless you want to terrify the patient!
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from the classic novel 'Water Margin' (水浒传). It originally described fierce warriors in battle. Over centuries, the imagery of the heavy weaponry shifted. It moved from the battlefield to the boardroom. It reflects a Chinese cultural appreciation for leaders who can break through bureaucracy with 'heroic' decisiveness.
Common Variations
You might hear people just say 阔斧 in very literary settings, but 大刀阔斧 is the gold standard. It’s a 'Chengyu' (four-character idiom), so the order is fixed. Don't swap the sword and the axe! People also use it to describe a writing style that is bold and straightforward without unnecessary fluff.
इस्तेमाल की जानकारी
This phrase is a 'Chengyu' and carries a formal, literary weight. It is most effective when describing leadership, systemic reforms, or significant life overhauls. Avoid using it for delicate tasks.
The 'De' Particle
When using it as an adverb, remember to add `地` (de) after the phrase, like `大刀阔斧地改革`.
Don't be too literal
Never use this to describe actual cooking or chopping vegetables, or people will think you're being violent!
The Hero Archetype
In China, being described as `大刀阔斧` is usually a compliment for a leader; it suggests they have the 'guts' to do what others won't.
उदाहरण
6新上任的CEO大刀阔斧地进行了公司重组。
The new CEO carried out a bold restructuring of the company.
Standard professional usage for major organizational changes.
我决定大刀阔斧地删掉手机里没用的App。
I decided to go all out and delete all the useless apps on my phone.
A slightly hyperbolic, modern way to use the phrase for personal life.
政府正在大刀阔斧地改造这片旧城区。
The government is boldly renovating this old urban district.
Used here to show the scale of construction and change.
理发师大刀阔斧地剪掉了我的长发，我还没准备好！
The barber just went for it and chopped off my long hair, I wasn't ready!
Humorous use describing a drastic physical change.
编辑对他的初稿进行了大刀阔斧的修改。
The editor made sweeping changes to his first draft.
Commonly used in creative fields for heavy editing.
为了重新开始，他大刀阔斧地告别了过去的生活。
To start over, he resolutely said goodbye to his past life.
Adds a sense of weight and finality to a life decision.
खुद को परखो
Choose the best context for using '大刀阔斧'.
经理决定___地削减不必要的开支。
Cutting unnecessary expenses is a decisive action that fits the 'bold' nature of the phrase.
Which verb usually follows the phrase in a professional setting?
我们要对现有的制度进行___的改革。
'Reform' (改革) is the most common partner for this idiom.
🎉 स्कोर: /2
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Formality of '大刀阔斧'
Used jokingly about haircuts or cleaning.
Cleaning a messy room.
Describing a friend's career change.
Quitting a job suddenly.
Standard for news and business reports.
Corporate restructuring.
When to swing the Big Sword
Corporate Reform
Firing underperforming departments.
Spring Cleaning
Throwing out half your furniture.
Editing
Deleting 50 pages of a book.
Urban Policy
Tearing down old buildings for a park.
अभ्यास बैंक
2 अभ्यास经理决定___地削减不必要的开支。
Cutting unnecessary expenses is a decisive action that fits the 'bold' nature of the phrase.
我们要对现有的制度进行___的改革。
'Reform' (改革) is the most common partner for this idiom.
🎉 स्कोर: /2
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालNo, it's strictly for big, radical changes. Using it for small tweaks like 大刀阔斧地换个颜色 (boldly changing a color) sounds sarcastic.
Usually positive or neutral. It praises decisiveness, though people affected by the 'cuts' might find it a bit harsh.
Only if you are 'drastically' changing your dating habits. It's too aggressive for describing feelings.
Not really. As a four-character idiom (Chengyu), it is almost always used in its full form.
雷厉风行 emphasizes speed and strictness (like thunder and wind), while 大刀阔斧 emphasizes the scale and boldness of the action.
Yes! While it sounds a bit educated, it's very common in daily speech when discussing work or big life decisions.
Not necessarily messy, but it implies they aren't worried about being 'neat' or 'polite' in their methods.
You usually describe their *way* of doing things, e.g., 他办事大刀阔斧 (He does things in a bold way).
Yes, it dates back to the Ming Dynasty, but it's still used every day in modern news and business.
Yes! If a coach changes the entire starting lineup, you can say they are 大刀阔斧地调整阵容.
संबंधित मुहावरे
雷厉风行
To act with lightning speed and vigor.
革故鼎新
To discard the old and establish the new.
破旧立新
To destroy the old and build the new.
改弦更张
To change a course of action (literally: change the strings of an instrument).
