Chinese Idiom: 食牛之气 (Shi Niu Zhi Qi)
English Translation: The spirit of one who can eat an ox
pīn yīn: shí niú zhī qì
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes someone who, despite being young or small, possesses extraordinary ambition or spirit. It can also be expressed as “吞牛之气,” meaning “to have the spirit to swallow an ox.”
Historical Source: Ancient text “尸子” (Shizi)
Idiom Story:
The author of “尸子,” Shizi, was a notable figure during the Warring States period, believed to be from the State of Lu or possibly from Chu. He was known for his learning, and even the famous Prime Minister of Qin, Shang Yang, sought him as a teacher.
In one of his statements, Shizi said, “虎豹之子，虽未成文，已有食牛之气,” which translates to “The young of tigers and leopards, though not yet fully developed, already possess the spirit to hunt an ox.”
This phrase highlights that young tigers and leopards, despite their small size and underdeveloped features, exude a fierce and majestic presence, indicating that they have the potential and ambition to take down even large prey like an ox.
The idiom thus captures the idea that greatness can manifest in youth or in seemingly small individuals, showcasing their inherent strength and potential.
