险象环生
xiǎn xiàng huán shēng
dangers arising one after another; fraught with peril
Character by character
险xiǎn
danger
danger
象xiàng
signs
signs
环huán
around
around
生shēng
arise
arise
Example
那段山路又窄又陡，一路上险象环生，司机却开得很稳。
The mountain road was narrow and steep, with one hazard after another, yet the driver kept the car steady.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
Describes a situation, journey, match or performance in which danger keeps appearing: 一路险象环生, 比赛险象环生. 环 means “all around” and 生 “to arise”. In reviews of acrobatics or thrillers it is admiring, since the danger is the show; elsewhere it is a warning. Not said of a person.
Learn this in Lesson 239 · HSK 9+: 吴桥杂技 (The acrobats of Wuqiao)
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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