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化险为夷

*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.

1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: huà xiǎn wéi yí
  • English Translation: To turn danger into safety (to pull through a crisis)
  • Idiom Composition: 「化」（To transform, change, or convert.）＋「险」（Danger, a precipice, or a hazardous situation.）＋「为」（To become or to act as (indicating the result of a change).）＋「夷」（Level, flat, or peaceful; in this context, it represents safety and stability.）
  • Meaning: To transform a dangerous or difficult situation into a safe and peaceful one. It emphasizes the process of actively overcoming a crisis through effort, wisdom, or timely intervention rather than just waiting for the danger to pass.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「化险为夷」 contains the following nuances:

  • Transformation of Circumstances: The idiom uses the contrast between 险 (xiǎn - danger/steepness) and 夷 (yí - level/safety) to describe a dramatic shift from a negative to a positive state.
  • Active Resolution: Rather than a situation resolving itself naturally, this phrase often implies that wisdom, courage, or timely intervention was used to actively steer away from disaster.

3. Usage

「化险为夷」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Crisis Management & Troubleshooting: Used in business or project management to praise the skill of resolving sudden, critical problems.
    • Example:「多亏了经理的冷静指挥，项目组才得以化险为夷，按时完成了任务。」
      （Thanks to the manager's calm leadership, the project team managed to pull through the crisis and complete the task on time.）
  • Survival from Accidents or Disasters: Describes situations where someone escapes physical danger, such as an accident, illness, or being lost.
    • Example:「他在登山途中遭遇暴风雪，凭借丰富的经验最终化险为夷。」
      （He encountered a blizzard while climbing, but relying on his rich experience, he eventually turned the danger into safety.）
  • Diplomacy and Negotiation: Used when a tense relationship or a failing negotiation is restored to a peaceful state through dialogue.
    • Example:「这位外交官运用高超的谈判技巧，成功让两国关系化险为夷。」
      （The diplomat used superb negotiation skills to successfully avert the crisis in the relationship between the two countries.）

Additional Examples:

  1. 面对突如其来的市场变动，公司及时调整策略，终于化险为夷。
    （Facing sudden market fluctuations, the company adjusted its strategy in time and finally weathered the storm.）
  2. 医生全力抢救，终于让病人化险为夷，脱离了生命危险。
    （The doctors gave their all in the rescue, finally allowing the patient to pull through and escape critical danger.）
  3. 只要我们团结一致，就没有什么困难不能化险为夷。
    （As long as we stand united, there is no difficulty that we cannot overcome.）
  4. 那次误会差点毁了我们的友谊，好在后来解释清楚，化险为夷了。
    （That misunderstanding almost ruined our friendship, but fortunately, we explained everything and resolved the situation.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • Origin: This expression is derived from the 'Preface to the Eulogy of the Pacification of the Southern Barbarians' (平蛮颂序 - Píng Mán Sòng Xù) by Han Yunqing (韩云卿) during the Tang Dynasty (唐朝). The original phrase was 'transforming steep obstacles into level paths' (化险阻为夷途 - huà xiǎn zǔ wéi yí tú).
  • The Meaning of 夷 (yí): In modern Chinese, 夷 (yí) is rarely used alone and often refers to 'foreigners' in historical contexts. However, in ancient Chinese and this idiom, it specifically means 'flat,' 'level,' or 'peaceful.'
  • Usage Frequency: This is a very common idiom used in both formal writing and daily conversation to praise someone's ability to handle a crisis.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

化险为夷 (huà xiǎn wéi yí) is a positive idiom used when someone successfully navigates a crisis. The imagery comes from turning a 'precipice' or 'dangerous path' (险 - xiǎn) into 'level ground' (夷 - yí). It is widely used in business, medical contexts, and personal stories of survival to describe a dramatic shift from a negative to a positive state.

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