wēiwǔbùnéngqū: 威武不能屈 - Cannot Be Subdued by Force; Unyielding to Power

• Keywords: wēiwǔbùnéngqū, 威武不能屈, Chinese idiom for integrity, unyielding to power, cannot be subdued by force, Mencius quote, Chinese philosophy, moral courage, da zhang fu, 大丈夫
• Summary: The Chinese idiom 威武不能屈 (wēiwǔ bùnéng qū) describes a person of immense moral courage who cannot be intimidated or forced to yield by power, threats, or authoritarian force. Originating from the philosopher Mencius, it embodies the Confucian ideal of integrity, where one's principles remain steadfast even when faced with overwhelming pressure. This term is a cornerstone of understanding the Chinese concept of a “great person” (大丈夫, dàzhàngfū) and is used to praise individuals who demonstrate unwavering ethical fortitude.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): wēi wǔ bù néng qū
• Part of Speech: Idiom / Chengyu (成语)
• HSK Level: N/A (Advanced/Literary)
• Concise Definition: One cannot be made to bend or submit through the use of power and force.
• In a Nutshell: This idiom is a powerful compliment for someone with an unbreakable spirit and strong moral backbone. It's not about physical strength, but about mental and ethical fortitude. Imagine a hero in a movie who is threatened by a powerful villain but refuses to betray their values—that person is a perfect example of 威武不能屈. It signifies a profound commitment to one's principles over personal safety.

• 威 (wēi): Power, might, prestige, threat.
• 武 (wǔ): Martial, military, force.
• 不 (bù): Not, no.
• 能 (néng): Can be, able to be.
• 屈 (qū): To bend, to yield, to submit, to compromise one's principles.

Together, the characters literally mean “Power and force cannot make [one] bend/yield.” The combination of 威武 (wēiwǔ) refers to coercive power or military might, creating a vivid image of someone standing firm against an intimidating force.

The soul of 威武不能屈 comes from a famous passage in the classical Confucian text, the Mencius (《孟子》). Mencius defines the ideal “great person” (大丈夫, dàzhàngfū) with a three-part test:

“富贵不能淫，贫贱不能移，威武不能屈，此之谓大丈夫。”
“To be above the power of riches and honors to corrupt, to be unshaken by poverty and mean condition, and to be unbent by power and force—this is what I call a great man.”

This quote has become a foundational moral compass in Chinese culture for over two thousand years. It establishes integrity not as a single act, but as a consistent character trait that withstands all forms of temptation and pressure: wealth, poverty, and force. Comparison with Western Concepts: A similar Western idea might be “speaking truth to power” or having “the courage of one's convictions.” However, 威武不能屈 is more passive and internal. It's less about actively challenging power and more about the internal refusal to be broken by it. While an activist speaking at a protest is “speaking truth to power,” a political prisoner who silently refuses to sign a false confession, despite threats, perfectly embodies 威武不能屈. It emphasizes steadfastness and internal moral purity over external action.

This is a formal and literary idiom, carrying a great deal of respect and admiration.

• In Praise of Heroes: It is most commonly used in formal writing, speeches, and media to describe historical figures, national heroes, martyrs, or modern-day individuals who stand up to injustice at great personal risk (e.g., whistleblowers, principled officials).
• Moral Education: Parents and teachers might use this phrase to instill a sense of integrity and courage in children, encouraging them to be strong in their principles.
• Formal and Literary Context: You will rarely hear this in casual, everyday chat. Using it to describe a friend who refused to lend someone money would be overly dramatic. Its use is reserved for situations involving significant moral stakes and power dynamics.
• Connotation: The connotation is exclusively positive and deeply admiring. It is one of the highest compliments one can pay to a person's character.

• Example 1:
  • 面对敌人的严刑拷打，这位英雄威武不能屈，保守了国家的秘密。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì dírén de yánxíng kǎodǎ, zhè wèi yīngxióng wēiwǔ bùnéng qū, bǎoshǒu le guójiā de mìmì.
  • English: Facing the enemy's brutal torture, this hero could not be subdued by force and protected the nation's secrets.
  • Analysis: This is a classic usage, describing a national hero's unyielding spirit in the face of physical coercion.
• Example 2:
  • 他在法庭上坚持说出真相，真正做到了威武不能屈。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài fǎtíng shàng jiānchí shuō chū zhēnxiàng, zhēnzhèng zuòdào le wēiwǔ bùnéng qū.
  • English: He insisted on speaking the truth in court, truly achieving the state of being unyielding to power.
  • Analysis: This example applies the idiom to a modern context, praising someone's courage against institutional pressure.
• Example 3:
  • 老师教导我们，做人要有骨气，要威武不能屈。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī jiàodǎo wǒmen, zuòrén yào yǒu gǔqì, yào wēiwǔ bùnéng qū.
  • English: The teacher taught us that to be a good person, you must have backbone and be unyielding to threats.
  • Analysis: This shows the idiom used in a moral education context. “骨气 (gǔqì)” means backbone or moral integrity.
• Example 4:
  • 历史上，许多文人墨客即使身处逆境，也保持着威武不能屈的气节。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ shàng, xǔduō wénrén mòkè jíshǐ shēn chǔ nìjìng, yě bǎochí zhe wēiwǔ bùnéng qū de qìjié.
  • English: Throughout history, many scholars and writers, even in adversity, maintained an integrity that could not be subdued by force.
  • Analysis: This highlights the connection between the idiom and “气节 (qìjié)”, the concept of unwavering moral principle.
• Example 5:
  • 尽管受到了来自管理层的巨大压力，那位记者仍然拒绝妥协，展现了威武不能屈的精神。
  • Pinyin: Jǐnguǎn shòudào le láizì guǎnlǐcéng de jùdà yālì, nà wèi jìzhě réngrán jùjué tuǒxié, zhǎnxiàn le wēiwǔ bùnéng qū de jīngshén.
  • English: Despite immense pressure from management, that journalist still refused to compromise, displaying a spirit unyielding to power.
  • Analysis: A very practical, modern example of someone standing up to corporate or institutional power.
• Example 6:
  • 一个真正的领导者，不仅要富贵不能淫，更要威武不能屈。
  • Pinyin: Yí ge zhēnzhèng de lǐngdǎozhě, bùjǐn yào fùguì bùnéng yín, gèng yào wēiwǔ bùnéng qū.
  • English: A true leader must not only be incorruptible by wealth, but more importantly, must be unyielding to force.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly references parts of the original Mencius quote to define the ideal qualities of a leader.
• Example 7:
  • 面对霸凌，我们应该学会勇敢反抗，做到威武不能屈。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì bàlíng, wǒmen yīnggāi xuéhuì yǒnggǎn fǎnkàng, zuòdào wēiwǔ bùnéng qū.
  • English: In the face of bullying, we should learn to resist bravely and be unyielding to intimidation.
  • Analysis: This example scales down the concept to a more personal, but still serious, situation.
• Example 8:
  • 这个民族的精神就是威武不能屈，贫贱不能移。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge mínzú de jīngshén jiùshì wēiwǔ bùnéng qū, pínjiàn bùnéng yí.
  • English: The spirit of this nation is to be unyielding to power and unshaken by poverty.
  • Analysis: The idiom can be used to describe the collective character or spirit of a group or nation.
• Example 9:
  • 他虽然权力不大，但是非分明，在原则问题上威武不能屈。
  • Pinyin: Tā suīrán quánlì bù dà, dànshì fēimíng, zài yuánzé wèntí shàng wēiwǔ bùnéng qū.
  • English: Although he doesn't have much power, he has a clear sense of right and wrong, and on matters of principle, he cannot be subdued.
  • Analysis: This clarifies that the quality isn't reserved for the powerful; it's about anyone holding firm to their principles.
• Example 10:
  • 有些人看似强大，实则一遇到真正的压力就屈服了，远做不到威武不能屈。
  • Pinyin: Yǒuxiē rén kànsì qiángdà, shízé yí yùdào zhēnzhèng de yālì jiù qūfú le, yuǎn zuòbùdào wēiwǔ bùnéng qū.
  • English: Some people seem strong, but in reality, they yield as soon as they encounter real pressure, falling far short of being unyielding to power.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the idiom in a negative sense by stating what someone is not, providing a clear contrast.

• It's About Moral, Not Physical, Resistance: A common mistake is to interpret 威武不能屈 as simple physical toughness or stubbornness. A boxer who refuses to be knocked out is tough, but not necessarily 威武不能屈. The idiom applies when a person is pressured to compromise their values, principles, or integrity. The core of the conflict is moral, not physical.
• Formality is Key: Do not use this idiom in casual conversation. Saying your friend is 威武不能屈 because they refused to eat vegetables is incorrect and sounds ridiculous. Reserve it for serious situations involving high stakes and moral fortitude.
• “False Friend” - Unyielding: In English, “unyielding” or “unbending” can sometimes have a negative connotation, implying someone is stubborn, dogmatic, or unreasonable. 威武不能屈 is almost universally positive. It praises righteous integrity, not blind stubbornness. An official who refuses a bribe is 威武不能屈; an official who refuses to listen to reasonable public feedback is just stubborn (固执, gùzhí).

• 大丈夫 (dàzhàngfū) - The “great person” or “true man” who embodies the qualities described by Mencius, including being 威武不能屈.
• 宁死不屈 (nìng sǐ bù qū) - “Would rather die than submit.” A more intense and direct synonym that emphasizes the life-or-death stakes.
• 富贵不能淫 (fùguì bùnéng yín) - “Cannot be corrupted by wealth and honor.” The first part of the famous triad from Mencius.
• 贫贱不能移 (pínjiàn bùnéng yí) - “Cannot be swayed by poverty and low status.” The second part of the triad.
• 气节 (qìjié) - Moral integrity; backbone. This is the underlying personal quality that allows someone to be 威武不能屈.
• 铮铮铁骨 (zhēngzhēng tiěgǔ) - “Bones of steel.” A vivid metaphor for a person of unshakable integrity and courage.
• 威逼利诱 (wēibī lìyòu) - “To coerce with threats and entice with benefits.” This describes the actions taken against a person to make them submit; it is the force that a person who is 威武不能屈 resists.
• 屈服 (qūfú) - To yield; to surrender; to submit. A direct antonym.