====== weiwubuqu: 威武不屈 - Unyielding to Power, Indomitable ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** weiwubuqu, wēi wǔ bù qū, 威武不屈, indomitable, unyielding to power, principled resistance, moral courage, incorruptible, Chinese idiom, Mencius quote, Chinese virtue, what does weiwubuqu mean
  * **Summary:** Learn the meaning of **威武不屈 (wēi wǔ bù qū)**, a powerful Chinese idiom (chengyu) describing someone who is indomitable and cannot be bent or broken by force, power, or authority. Rooted in the philosophy of Mencius, this term represents the ultimate form of moral courage and integrity, celebrating the spirit of unyielding resistance against coercion. This page breaks down its characters, cultural significance, and modern usage with practical examples.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** wēi wǔ bù qū
  * **Part of Speech:** Chengyu (Idiom); Adjective
  * **HSK Level:** Advanced / Chengyu
  * **Concise Definition:** Not to be subdued by force; to be indomitable and unyielding to power.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **威武不屈 (wēi wǔ bù qū)** describes a person of immense moral and spiritual fortitude. It's not just about being brave, but about refusing to compromise your principles or submit to intimidation, especially when faced with a powerful adversary like an unjust government, a corrupt official, or any overwhelming force. It's the quality of a true hero who stands their ground because their convictions are stronger than any threat.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **威 (wēi):** Power, might, prestige, the imposing aura of authority.
  * **武 (wǔ):** Martial, military, force. Think of a warrior or military might.
  * **不 (bù):** Not, no. The standard negation particle.
  * **屈 (qū):** To bend, to yield, to submit, to be subdued.
When combined, the meaning is direct and powerful: **威武 (wēiwǔ)**, or "power and force," **不 (bù)** "cannot" make one **屈 (qū)** "bend or submit." It paints a picture of someone standing firm against a tidal wave of pressure.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
The term **威武不屈** is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, originating from a famous passage by the Confucian philosopher **Mencius (孟子, Mèngzǐ)**. He defined a "great man" (大丈夫, dàzhàngfū) with three core characteristics:
> 富贵不能淫 (fùguì bùnéng yín) - Cannot be corrupted by wealth and high status.
> 贫贱不能移 (pínjiàn bùnéng yí) - Cannot be made to swerve from principle by poverty and lowliness.
> **威武不能屈 (wēiwǔ bùnéng qū)** - Cannot be made to bend by power and force.
This idiom represents the pinnacle of Confucian integrity. It asserts that true strength is internal and moral, not external and physical. A person's character should be so solid that no amount of threat, bribery, or hardship can change their righteous path.
A close Western concept is "principled stand" or "integrity," but **威武不屈** has a stronger connotation of active resistance against an oppressive, powerful entity. While the West might celebrate an underdog who physically wins (like David vs. Goliath), Chinese culture places immense value on the *moral victory* of refusing to yield, even in defeat or death. This virtue is celebrated in countless historical figures, martyrs, and literary heroes who chose death over dishonor.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**威武不屈** is a formal, highly laudatory, and somewhat literary term. You won't hear it used in casual, everyday chat about trivial matters.
  * **Formal Praise:** It's used in speeches, formal writing, and historical narratives to praise national heroes, soldiers, political martyrs, or anyone who has shown extraordinary moral courage against oppression.
  * **Media and Literature:** Common in historical dramas, war films, and novels to describe a protagonist's heroic and unbending character. The line might be delivered at a climactic moment when the hero is captured and refuses to betray their cause.
  * **Metaphorical Use:** It can be used metaphorically to describe the "indomitable spirit" of a nation, a people, or a company that withstands immense external pressure without breaking.
It carries a very strong positive connotation and is a term of the highest respect.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 历史上的许多英雄都表现出了**威武不屈**的民族气节。
    * Pinyin: Lìshǐ shàng de xǔduō yīngxióng dōu biǎoxiàn chūle **wēiwǔ bùqū** de mínzú qìjié.
    * English: Many heroes in history have demonstrated the indomitable national integrity of being unyielding to power.
    * Analysis: This is a typical formal, written usage, connecting the idiom to the concept of national spirit (民族气节).
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 面对敌人的严刑拷打，他**威武不屈**，没有透露任何信息。
    * Pinyin: Miànduì dírén de yánxíng kǎodǎ, tā **wēiwǔ bùqū**, méiyǒu tòulù rènhé xìnxī.
    * English: Facing the enemy's brutal torture, he was indomitable and did not reveal any information.
    * Analysis: A classic scenario for this idiom, often seen in war movies and stories about spies or revolutionaries.
  * **Example 3:** 
    * 作为一个记者，他有**威武不屈**的精神，敢于揭露社会的黑暗面。
    * Pinyin: Zuòwéi yīgè jìzhě, tā yǒu **wēiwǔ bùqū** de jīngshén, gǎnyú jiēlù shèhuì de hēi'ànmiàn.
    * English: As a journalist, he has an indomitable spirit, daring to expose the dark side of society.
    * Analysis: This applies the concept to a modern profession, highlighting moral courage in the face of powerful interests.
  * **Example 4:** 
    * 孟子说：“**威武不能屈**，此之谓大丈夫。”
    * Pinyin: Mèngzǐ shuō: "**Wēiwǔ bùnéng qū**, cǐ zhī wèi dàzhàngfū."
    * English: Mencius said: "He whom power and force cannot cause to bend, this is what is called a great man."
    * Analysis: This sentence directly quotes the source, often used in educational or philosophical contexts to explain the origin of the virtue.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 这支军队以其**威武不屈**的战斗作风而闻名。
    * Pinyin: Zhè zhī jūnduì yǐ qí **wēiwǔ bùqū** de zhàndòu zuòfēng ér wénmíng.
    * English: This army is famous for its indomitable fighting style.
    * Analysis: Here, the idiom is used to describe the collective character of a group.
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 尽管公司给他施加了巨大压力，但他**威武不屈**，拒绝在虚假文件上签字。
    * Pinyin: Jǐnguǎn gōngsī gěi tā shījiāle jùdà yālì, dàn tā **wēiwǔ bùqū**, jùjué zài xūjiǎ wénjiàn shàng qiānzì.
    * English: Although the company put immense pressure on him, he was unyielding and refused to sign the fraudulent documents.
    * Analysis: A modern business ethics scenario. The "power" here is corporate authority.
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 这种**威武不屈**的精神是中华民族的宝贵财富。
    * Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng **wēiwǔ bùqū** de jīngshén shì zhōnghuá mínzú de bǎoguì cáifù.
    * English: This indomitable spirit is a precious treasure of the Chinese nation.
    * Analysis: A highly patriotic and formal sentence, often found in political or cultural discourse.
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 他的眼神里充满了**威武不屈**的坚定。
    * Pinyin: Tā de yǎnshén lǐ chōngmǎnle **wēiwǔ bùqū** de jiāndìng.
    * English: His eyes were filled with an indomitable determination.
    * Analysis: A more literary or descriptive usage, treating the idiom as an adjective modifying a noun like "determination" (坚定).
  * **Example 9:** 
    * 我们要教育孩子成为一个**威武不屈**、有骨气的人。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen yào jiàoyù háizi chéngwéi yīgè **wēiwǔ bùqū**、yǒu gǔqì de rén.
    * English: We need to teach our children to become indomitable people with backbone.
    * Analysis: This shows how the concept is viewed as a key virtue to instill in the next generation. It's paired with the related term 骨气 (gǔqì), "backbone".
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 在绝对的权力面前，能够做到**威武不屈**的人少之又少。
    * Pinyin: Zài juéduì de quánlì miànqián, nénggòu zuòdào **wēiwǔ bùqū** de rén shǎo zhī yòu shǎo.
    * English: In the face of absolute power, very few people can truly remain unyielding.
    * Analysis: This sentence reflects on the difficulty and rarity of this virtue, acknowledging it as a high ideal.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Don't Use Casually:** The most common mistake is using this grand term for trivial situations. If your friend refuses to go to a party they don't like, they are being stubborn (**固执, gùzhí**), not **威武不屈**. Using it incorrectly will make you sound hyperbolic and slightly ridiculous. Reserve it for situations involving serious moral principle and significant external pressure.
  * **Not Just "Brave":** While bravery is a component, **威武不屈** is different from general courage (**勇敢, yǒnggǎn**). A firefighter running into a burning building is **勇敢**. A captured spy enduring torture without talking is **威武不屈**. The key element is the resistance to an intelligent, coercive force trying to make you submit your will.
  * **Moral Dimension is Key:** A stubborn villain who refuses to surrender is generally not described as **威武不屈**. The term implies a righteous or principled stand. The person refusing to bend is seen as being "in the right."
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[宁死不屈]] (nìng sǐ bù qū) - "Would rather die than submit." A more extreme and intense version of the same idea.
  * [[大丈夫]] (dàzhàngfū) - The "great man" or ideal man as defined by Mencius, for whom **威武不屈** is a core quality.
  * [[骨气]] (gǔqì) - "Backbone." A more colloquial term for moral integrity and an unyielding character. Someone with **骨气** is likely to be **威武不屈**.
  * [[正气]] (zhèngqì) - "Righteous spirit" or "moral integrity." This is the internal energy or quality that enables a person to be unyielding.
  * [[坚韧不拔]] (jiān rèn bù bá) - "Tenacious and persevering." This describes enduring any kind of hardship (poverty, illness, a difficult task), whereas **威武不屈** is specifically about enduring pressure from a powerful entity.
  * [[屈服]] (qūfú) - The direct antonym: to yield, to submit, to surrender.
  * [[富贵不能淫]] (fùguì bùnéng yín) - "Cannot be corrupted by wealth and honor." The first part of the Mencius triad.
  * [[贫贱不能移]] (pínjiàn bùnéng yí) - "Cannot be swayed from principle by poverty." The second part of the Mencius triad.