折戟沉沙 in English zhe2 ji3 chen2 sha1 Meaning

Meanings

  • literally (word for word) broken halberds embedded in the sand (idiomatic expression)
  • metaphorically reminder of a fierce battle
  • remnants of a disastrous defeat

Simplified Characters

折 戟 沉 沙

Traditional Characters

折 戟 沉 沙

Pinyin

zhe2 ji3 chen2 sha1

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

折zhe2to break (e.g. stick or bone) 戟ji3halberd 沉chen2see 黑沉沉[hei1 chen1 chen1] 沙sha1surname Sha