Idiom: 鷸蚌相爭 (yù bàng xiāng zhēng)
Literal Meaning: “The sandpiper and the clam are at odds.”
Explanation: 鷸蚌相爭 (yù bàng xiāng zhēng) means when two parties fight, a third party often benefits.
Chinese Idiom Stories
Once upon a time, a sandpiper was walking along a riverbank when it spotted a clam basking in the sun. The sandpiper tried to eat the clam, but the clam quickly clamped its shell shut, trapping the bird’s beak.
The sandpiper said, “If you don’t release me, you’ll dry out in the sun.” The clam replied, “And if I don’t let go, you’ll starve.”
As the two argued, a fisherman passing by noticed the situation. He caught both the bird and the clam with ease, taking them home for dinner.
This story illustrates how conflict between two parties can lead to a third party’s gain.
Idiom Example Sentences
- 如果我們繼續爭下去，恐怕會像鷸蚌相爭，便宜了第三方。
- If we keep fighting, we might end up like the sandpiper and the clam, benefiting a third party.
- Rúguǒ wǒmen jìxù zhēng xiàqù, kǒngpà huì xiàng yù bàng xiāng zhēng, biànyíle dì sān fāng.
- 他們兩家公司鷸蚌相爭，最後被另一家公司佔了便宜。
- Their two companies were at odds, and in the end, another company took advantage.
- Tāmen liǎng jiā gōngsī yù bàng xiāng zhēng, zuìhòu bèi lìng yī jiā gōngsī zhànle piányí.
Practice Exercise
- What were the sandpiper and clam fighting about?
- What lesson does the story teach?
- Write a sentence using 鷸蚌相爭 to describe a competitive situation in your life.
Multiple Choice Questions
What situation best represents the meaning of 鷸蚌相爭?
A) Two friends helping each other solve a problem.
B) Two teams fighting over a ball while a third team scores a goal.
C) A teacher mediating a dispute between students.
D) A fisherman catching a big fish.
(Answer: B)
