HSK · Level 126
15 words
Chinese word
势不可当
Pronunciation
Pinyinshì bù kě dāng
Meaning
- idiomunstoppable
Example
对手的攻势势不可当。duì shǒu de gōng shì shì bù kě dāng
The opponent's attack is unstoppable.
More examples
球队上半场连进两球，全队气势不可当，最终赢下比赛。qiú duì shàng bàn chǎng lián jìn liǎng qiú quán duì qì shì bù kě dāng zuì zhōng yíng xià bǐ sài
The team scored two goals in a row in the first half, and their momentum was unstoppable, so they ultimately won the game.
Core concept
An advancing force gathers so much momentum that nothing can hold it back.
Common phrases
气势不可当qì shì bù kě dāng
unstoppable momentum
来势不可当lái shì bù kě dāng
come with unstoppable force
Similar words
势如破竹shì rú pò zhú: Describes strong forward progress that overcomes obstacles in quick succession.
一往无前yì wǎng wú qián: Describes pressing onward firmly without stopping, hesitating, or retreating.
乘风破浪chéng fēng pò làng: Describes advancing boldly through difficulties with the help of favorable conditions.
所向披靡suǒ xiàng pī mǐ: Describes winning against all opponents wherever the advance reaches.
Definition in Chinese
形容力量或趋势极强，难以抵挡并迅速取得优势。xíng róng lì liàng huò qū shì jí qiáng nán yǐ dí dǎng bìng xùn sù qǔ dé yōu shì
Word origin
势 (shì, "momentum") + 不 (bù, "not") + 可 (kě, "can") + 当 (dāng, "resist") presents momentum that cannot be resisted, giving the idiom its sense of unstoppable advance.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, this idiom sounds emphatic and somewhat formal, so simpler wording is often chosen for ordinary events.
Other meanings
- forge aheadidiom
Opposites
- 势单力薄shì dān lì báoweak and unsupportedidiom