諺語 · a single proverb
龍潭虎穴
Simplified: 龙潭虎穴
What does 龍潭虎穴 (lóng tán hǔ xué) mean?
龍潭虎穴 (lóng tán hǔ xué) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語). Word for word it reads "dragon's pool and tiger's den." In use it means: An extremely dangerous place; territory where the risks are as concentrated as they are obvious. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Water note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Tiger.
Literally: "dragon's pool and tiger's den."
The reading
Everyone knows the pool belongs to the dragon. The sign is not subtle. Walking in anyway is not courage unless you have a reason that is larger than the danger. Otherwise it is just a way to learn something you could have learned by reading the sign.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Common literary idiom; military and wuxia tradition
Sits beside
Keep reading
Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Courage & Decisive Action, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Tiger, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 龍潭虎穴 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 龍潭虎穴 (lóng tán hǔ xué) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語), and it comes from Common literary idiom; military and wuxia tradition. It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.
How do you pronounce 龍潭虎穴?
In Mandarin it is lóng tán hǔ xué. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 龍潭虎穴 aloud in Mandarin.