HSK 7

千钧一发

qiānjūn-yífà

a thousand pounds hangs by a thread (idiom)

HSK 7 — —

Character Breakdown

千

qiān · thousand

Radical: 十 · 3strokes

Stroke order animation for 千

钧

· 钧

Radical: —

一

yī · one

Radical: 一 · 1strokes

Stroke order animation for 一

发

fā · to send out

Radical: 又 · 5strokes

Stroke order animation for 发

Meaning and Usage

"千钧一发" literally means "a thousand jun (a heavy weight) hanging by a single hair," symbolizing an extremely dangerous or critical moment. It is often used to describe situations where the outcome hangs by a very thin margin, emphasizing urgency and risk.

Common Contexts

This idiom is frequently used in news reports, storytelling, and daily conversations to highlight moments of crisis or tension, such as accidents, competitions, or important decisions.

Collocations and Patterns

Usage Tips

When using 千钧一发, the focus is on the extreme precariousness of the situation. It is not used for general difficulties but for moments where danger or tension is at its peak. Avoid confusing it with words that mean simply "urgent" or "important."

Example Sentences

这次事故真是千钧一发，幸好司机反应及时。

Zhè cì shìgù zhēn shì qiānjūn yífà, xìnghǎo sījī fǎnyìng jíshí.

This accident was really a critical moment; fortunately, the driver reacted

比赛进入了千钧一发的阶段，双方都不敢轻举妄动。

Bǐsài jìnrùle qiānjūn yífà de jiēduàn, shuāngfāng dōu bù gǎn qīngjǔ

The match has reached a critical stage where neither side dares to act

在千钧一发的时刻，他做出了正确的决定。

Zài qiānjūn yífà de shíkè, tā zuòchūle zhèngquè de juédìng.

At the critical moment, he made the right decision.