势不可当

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: shì bù kě dāng
• English Translation: An irresistible force (unstoppable momentum)
• Idiom Composition: 「势」（Momentum, force, or power）＋「不」（Not）＋「可」（Able to; can）＋「当」（To withstand or block (equivalent to 挡 in this context)）
• Meaning: A state where the momentum or trend of something is so powerful and fierce that nothing can stop or block it. It is used to describe overwhelming military advances, social trends, or natural forces.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「势不可当」 contains the following nuances:

• Overwhelming Energy: The idiom implies more than just being 'strong'; it suggests that the speed of the moving object or the scale of the changing tide is so massive that direct opposition is impossible.
• Interchangeable Characters: In this idiom, 当 (dāng) is used to mean 'to block' or 'to withstand.' In modern Chinese, it is frequently written as 势不可挡 (shì bù kě dǎng) using the character 挡 (dǎng), which specifically means 'to block.' Both versions are considered correct and identical in meaning.

3. Usage

「势不可当」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Trends and Social Movements: Used when technological innovations, reforms, or trends move with a momentum that no individual will can stop.
  • Example:「人工智能的发展已成燎原之火，势不可当。」
    （The development of Artificial Intelligence has become a prairie fire, unstoppable in its momentum.）
• Sports and Competition: Used to praise a team on a winning streak or an athlete performing at their absolute peak.
  • Example:「下半场主队发起猛攻，势不可当，连进三球。」
    （In the second half, the home team launched a fierce attack and was irresistible, scoring three goals in a row.）
• Natural Disasters: Used to describe the terrifying and destructive power of natural forces like floods or landslides.
  • Example:「洪水冲垮了堤坝，势不可当，瞬间淹没了村庄。」
    （The flood burst through the dam and, with an irresistible force, submerged the village in an instant.）

Additional Examples:

1. 这支摇滚乐队在全求范围内迅速走红，人气势不可当。
   （This rock band quickly became popular worldwide, and their rise in popularity is unstoppable.）
2. 面对势不可当的舆论压力，公司不得不公开道歉。
   （Faced with irresistible pressure from public opinion, the company had no choice but to issue a public apology.）
3. 改革开放的大潮势不可当，改变了无数人的命运。
   （The great tide of reform and opening-up was unstoppable, changing the fates of countless people.）
4. 虽然遭遇挫折，但他前进的决心依然势不可当。
   （Despite facing setbacks, his determination to move forward remains unstoppable.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Orthographic Variations: Both 势不可当 (shì bù kě dāng) and 势不可挡 (shì bù kě dǎng) are recognized as correct. The character 当 (dāng) reflects a classical usage meaning 'to oppose' or 'to withstand,' while 挡 (dǎng) is the more common modern verb for 'to block.'
• Historical Origin: The phrase is derived from the Book of Jin (晋书), specifically the biography of Xi Jian (郗鉴), which describes a military force by saying 'its momentum cannot be withstood' (其势不可当). It has historically been used to describe the might of an advancing army.
• Nuance: While usually used in a positive or neutral context to praise strength and vigor, it can also be applied to negative phenomena, such as the unstoppable spread of a disaster or a harmful social trend.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 势如破竹 (shì rú pò zhú): Like splitting bamboo; describes an irresistible force that overcomes all obstacles with ease.
  • 锐不可当 (ruì bù kě dāng): A momentum so sharp and fierce that it cannot be parried or stopped.
  • 浩浩荡荡 (hào hào dàng dàng): Vast and mighty, referring to a grand and powerful momentum or scale.link
  • 如火如荼 (rú huǒ rú tú): Developing vigorously and enthusiastically.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 强弩之末 (qiáng nǔ zhī mò): An arrow from a strong bow at the end of its flight; a force that has lost its initial momentum and is now weak.
  • 大势已去 (dà shì yǐ qù): The general trend is gone; a situation where the favorable momentum has been lost and cannot be recovered.
  • 不堪一击 (bù kān yī jī): Unable to withstand a single blow, very fragile.link
  • 摇摇欲坠 (yáo yáo yù zhuì): About to collapse or fall.link

6. Summary

势不可当 (shì bù kě dāng) is an idiom used to describe a force—whether physical, social, or metaphorical—that is so overwhelming it cannot be resisted. It is widely used to depict military dominance, sports performance, or technological trends. It is sometimes written as 势不可挡 (shì bù kě dǎng), which carries the same meaning.