斩钉截铁 in English zhan3 ding1 jie2 tie3 Meaning

Meanings

  • literally (word for word) to chop the nail and slice the iron (idiomatic expression)
  • metaphorically resolute and decisive
  • unhesitating
  • categorical

Simplified Characters

斩 钉 截 铁

Traditional Characters

斬 釘 截 鐵

Pinyin

zhan3 ding1 jie2 tie3

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

斩zhan3to behead (as form of capital punishment) 钉ding1nail 截jie2to cut off (a length) 铁tie3surname Tie