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Stories/Chinese folklore/The Fox Borrows the Tiger’s Might
HSK 2 Chinese reading practice

狐假虎威

hú jiǎ hǔ wēi

The Fox Borrows the Tiger’s Might

A clever fox escapes a tiger by pretending that every animal fears him.

RECOMMENDEDHSK 2
READ3 min
HANZI83
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CULTURE

What does The Fox Borrows the Tiger’s Might mean?

狐假虎威 comes from the ancient text Strategies of the Warring States. Today it describes someone who intimidates others by borrowing the authority of a more powerful person.

Key vocabulary5 words from this story
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Check your understanding

Answer three questions without looking at the English translation.

01狐狸和老虎一起走时，谁走在前面？
02动物们为什么都跑了？
03老虎最后相信了什么？
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Chinese idiom guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about 狐假虎威

What does 狐假虎威 mean in English?

狐假虎威 (hú jiǎ hǔ wēi) literally means “the fox borrows the tiger’s power.” It describes using another person’s authority or influence to frighten people.

When is 狐假虎威 used?

Use 狐假虎威 when someone appears powerful only because a more powerful person stands behind them. For example: He threatened everyone using his manager’s name, but it was only 狐假虎威.

What is the pinyin for 狐假虎威?

The pinyin pronunciation for 狐假虎威 is “hú jiǎ hǔ wēi.”