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千军万马 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
千军万马qiānjūnwànmǎmagnificent army with thousands of men and horses (idiom); impressive display of manpowerHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #61922, Very Hard
千军万马qiānjūnwànmǎall the King's horses and all the King's menHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #61922, Very Hard
qiānjūnwànmǎ(qian1jun1wan4ma3)qian jun wan ma T1
  1. 1magnificent army with thousands of men and horses (idiom); impressive display of manpower
  2. 2all the King's horses and all the King's men
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March 24, 2026

千军万马(千軍萬馬)qiānjūnwànmǎ(qian1jun1wan4ma3)

The idiom 千军万马 (qiān jūn wàn mǎ) describes a magnificent army composed of thousands of soldiers and horses, symbolizing overwhelming manpower or a formidable force. It is often used to convey the idea of a grand display of strength or support in various contexts, such as military might or large-scale efforts.

Strokes15Frequency#61922DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of a mighty army has historical significance, often relating to famous battles and the unification of China under powerful dynasties. The phrase evokes images of historical heroes and epic tales of valor in Chinese literature.

Memory tip

Imagine a vast battlefield filled with a thousand generals (千军) leading ten thousand galloping horses (万马). Picture the sound of hooves thundering in unison, creating an awe-inspiring sight that represents unmatched power and unity, making the phrase both memorable and impactful.

Meanings of 千军万马

qiānjūnwànmǎ(qian1jun1wan4ma3)
1magnificent army with thousands of men and horses (idiom); impressive display of manpower
2all the King's horses and all the King's men
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About 千军万马

千军万马Simplified
千軍萬馬Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 千军万马

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include mixing up the order of characters, as the idiom must be used in its correct sequence to convey the intended meaning. It is more formal and typically used in written contexts, such as literature or speeches, rather than casual conversation. Be cautious of the tone, especially with '千' (qian1), which is the first tone.

HSK Study Tips

Although this idiom is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects to themes of power and strength found in HSK Level 4 and 5 words. Students should focus on understanding idiomatic expressions and their contexts, as they are crucial for achieving fluency.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse the order of characters, mistakenly saying 万马千军 (wàn mǎ qiān jūn), which does not carry the same meaning. It's important to keep the correct sequence for clarity and impact.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 千军万马

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Component characters

千qiānthousand
HSK 13 strokes十
View full entry
军jūnarmy
HSK 66 strokes车
View full entry
万wànten thousand
HSK 23 strokes一
View full entry
马mǎhorse
HSK 33 strokes马
View full entry

How to say magnificent army with thousands of men and horses (idiom); impressive display of manpower in Chinese

“magnificent army with thousands of men and horses (idiom); impressive display of manpower” in Chinese is千军万马qiānjūnwànmǎ

The idiom 千军万马 (qiān jūn wàn mǎ) describes a magnificent army composed of thousands of soldiers and horses, symbolizing overwhelming manpower or a formidable force. It is often used to convey the idea of a grand display of strength or support in various contexts, such as military might or large-scale efforts.

When to use 千军万马

Common mistakes include mixing up the order of characters, as the idiom must be used in its correct sequence to convey the intended meaning. It is more formal and typically used in written contexts, such as literature or speeches, rather than casual conversation. Be cautious of the tone, especially with '千' (qian1), which is the first tone.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse the order of characters, mistakenly saying 万马千军 (wàn mǎ qiān jūn), which does not carry the same meaning. It's important to keep the correct sequence for clarity and impact.

Write 千军万马

千
军
万
马

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Frequently asked questions about 千军万马

It literally means 'thousands of troops and ten thousand horses', symbolizing a large and impressive military force.

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