tripartite balance; three rival powers
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to stand like a tripod; a tripartite balance of power; three rival powers standing in confrontation
literaryOriginally describes a bronze tripod (鼎) standing on three legs. Now commonly used to describe a situation where three forces, powers, or parties are in equilibrium or confrontation, such as in politics, business, or sports.
Sān三
guó国
shí时
qī期
，
Wèi魏
、
Shǔ蜀
、
Wú吴
sān三
zú足
dǐng鼎
lì立
。
During the Three Kingdoms period, Wei, Shu, and Wu stood in tripartite confrontation.
Mù目
qián前
shǒu手
jī机
shì市
chǎng场
chéng呈
xiàn现
sān三
zú足
dǐng鼎
lì立
de的
jú局
miàn面
。
Currently, the mobile phone market presents a tripartite balance of power.
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Zhè这
sān三
gè个
qiú球
duì队
shí实
lì力
xiāng相
dāng当
，
xíng形
chéng成
le了
sān三
zú足
dǐng鼎
lì立
zhī之
shì势
。
These three teams are evenly matched, forming a three-way standoff.