力能扛鼎
lì néng gāng dǐng
strong enough to lift a bronze cauldron; immensely strong; (fig.) able to carry the main weight
Character by character
力lì
strength
strength
能néng
can
can
扛gāng
lift
lift
鼎dǐng
cauldron
cauldron
Example
别看他个子不高，却力能扛鼎，一百多公斤的杠铃说举就举起来了。
He may not be tall, but he is as strong as an ox: he can hoist a barbell of over a hundred kilos whenever he likes.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
From the 《史记》 (Records of the Grand Historian) on Xiang Yu (项羽): 力能扛鼎. Here 扛 is read gāng, to lift with both hands, not káng, to shoulder. Also used of a work or person that carries real weight: 扛鼎之作, a landmark work.
Learn this in Lesson 148 · HSK 7–9: 举重与举国体制 (Weightlifting and the state sports system)
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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