Chinese word

针锋相对

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhēn fēng xiāng duì

Meaning

  • idiombe at odds

Example

他们在会议上针锋相对，气氛很紧张。tā men zài huì yì shàng zhēn fēng xiāng duì qì fēn hěn jǐn zhāng

They were at odds during the meeting, and the atmosphere was tense.

Illustration for 针锋相对 (be at odds)

More examples

电视辩论中，候选人互相针锋相对，场面一度紧张。diàn shì biàn lùn zhōng hòu xuǎn rén hù xiāng zhēn fēng xiāng duì chǎng miàn yí dù jǐn zhāng

During a televised debate, the candidates were sharply at odds, and the scene was tense for a while.

Core concept

Two opposing sides meet point to point, each pressing hard against the other's position.

Common phrases

  • 双方针锋相对shuāng fāng zhēn fēng xiāng duì

    both sides oppose each other

  • 在辩论中针锋相对zài biàn lùn zhōng zhēn fēng xiāng duì

    be at odds in a debate

  • 表现出针锋相对的态度biǎo xiàn chū zhēn fēng xiāng duì de tài dù

    show a confrontational attitude

Similar words

唇枪舌剑chún qiāng shé jiàn: A heated exchange of sharp words, arguments, and forceful replies.
争锋相对zhēng fēng xiāng duì: Open confrontation in which opposing sides struggle directly and refuse to give way.
水火不容shuí huǒ bù róng: Complete incompatibility in which opposing sides cannot coexist or agree.

Definition in Chinese

形容双方在意见、立场或行动上互相对立，争执或对抗非常激烈。xíng róng shuāng fāng zài yì jiàn lì chǎng huò xíng dòng shàng hù xiāng duì lì zhēng zhí huò duì kàng fēi cháng jī liè

Word origin

针 (zhēn, "needle") + 锋 (fēng, "sharp edge") + 相 (xiāng, "mutually") + 对 (duì, "face") creates the picture of two sharp points meeting, a natural image for fierce opposition.

Usage tips

  • In a meeting or negotiation, this idiom highlights active opposition from both sides rather than a quiet difference of opinion.

Other meanings

  • confront each otherverb
  • argue with each otherverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word