惊弓之鸟
jīng gōng zhī niǎo
a bird that has been shot at and starts at the twang of a bow: someone badly frightened who jumps at the slightest thing
Character by character
惊jīng
startled
startled
弓gōng
bow
bow
之zhī
’s
’s
鸟niǎo
bird
bird
Example
自从上次被骗以后，他就成了惊弓之鸟，一接到陌生电话就挂。
Since being scammed that time he has been a nervous wreck, and he hangs up on any number he does not know.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
From the 《战国策》: the archer 更羸 (Gēng Léi) brought down a wounded goose just by twanging his bowstring, because the bird was already terrified. Usually 成了惊弓之鸟 or 像惊弓之鸟一样; it describes a person or group, sometimes investors after a crash.
Learn this in Lesson 168 · HSK 7–9: 鄱阳湖的候鸟 (The winter birds of Poyang Lake)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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