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HSK 5 Chinese reading practice

退避三舍

tuì bì sān shè

Retreat Three She

Duke Wen honors an old promise on the battlefield before defeating the army that keeps pursuing him.

RECOMMENDEDHSK 5
READ6 min
HANZI423
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How far is 三舍?

In this Zuo Commentary story, one 舍 is an ancient day's march of thirty li, so 三舍 means ninety li. The idiom now usually means yielding ground or deliberately avoiding a confrontation.

Key vocabulary10 words from this story
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阅读理解 · COMPREHENSION

Check your understanding

Answer three questions without looking at the English translation.

01重耳在楚国答应楚成王什么？
02故事中的三舍是多少里？
03晋军为什么后退以后又与楚军交战？
0 / 3questions answered
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Chinese idiom guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about 退避三舍

What does 退避三舍 mean in English?

退避三舍 (tuì bì sān shè) literally means “withdraw three she, or ninety li.” It describes to give way, keep one's distance, or deliberately avoid a confrontation.

When is 退避三舍 used?

Use 退避三舍 (tuì bì sān shè) when someone yields ground out of respect, caution, or a wish to avoid conflict. For example: Whenever the veteran negotiator entered the discussion, even his strongest rivals would 退避三舍.

What is the pinyin for 退避三舍?

The pinyin pronunciation for 退避三舍 is “tuì bì sān shè.”