逐鹿中原

zhú lù zhōng yuán

to fight for control of the empire

Character by character

逐zhú
chase

鹿lù
deer

中zhōng
central

原yuán
plains

东汉末年天下大乱，各路诸侯逐鹿中原。

As the Eastern Han collapsed, rival warlords fought for mastery of the Central Plains.

Tone: neutral.

The deer is the throne, from 《史记》: 秦失其鹿，天下共逐之. Today 逐鹿 alone also means competing for a market or a title.

Learn this in Lesson 9 · HSK 5: 山河与名胜 (Mountains, rivers and landmarks)

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.