三分鼎足 three-legged tripod
Explanation
比喻三方势力对峙，各自占据一方，形成鼎立之势。
Metaphorically describes three forces that stand against each other, each occupying one side, forming a stalemate.
Origin Story
公元前206年，秦朝灭亡，项羽在巨鹿之战中大破秦军主力，随后在鸿门宴上放过刘邦，自称西楚霸王，分封诸侯。然而，刘邦并未甘心屈居人下，他招兵买马，四处征战，逐渐壮大自己的势力。与此同时，其他诸侯也各自为政，相互争夺地盘。经过多年的征战，最终形成了以刘邦为首的汉朝、以项羽为首的楚国以及其他割据势力三分天下的局面。这便是历史上著名的“楚汉相争”时期，也是“三分鼎足”的典型例证。
In 206 BC, the Qin Dynasty fell. Xiang Yu defeated the main force of the Qin army in the Battle of Julu, and then spared Liu Bang at the Hongmen Banquet. He proclaimed himself the Hegemon-King of Chu and divided the land among the feudal lords. However, Liu Bang was not content to remain subordinate; he raised an army, fought everywhere, and gradually expanded his power. At the same time, other feudal lords ruled independently and fought for territory. After years of war, a three-way standoff finally emerged, with the Han Dynasty led by Liu Bang, the Chu State led by Xiang Yu, and other separatist forces dividing the land among themselves. This was the famous "Chu-Han Contention" period in history, a typical example of the idiom "three-legged tripod".
Usage
用于形容三方势力互相抗衡的局面。
Used to describe a situation in which three forces are in a stalemate.
Examples
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魏蜀吴三国鼎足而立，形成了长期的对峙局面。
Wèi Shǔ Wú sān guó dǐng zú ér lì, xíng chéng le chángqí de duìzhì júmiàn。
The three kingdoms of Wei, Shu, and Wu stood in a stalemate, forming a long-term confrontation.
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如今市场竞争激烈，只有实力强大的企业才能三分鼎足。
Rújīn shìchǎng jìngzhēng jīliè, zhǐyǒu shílì qiángdà de qǐyè cáinéng sān fēn dǐng zú。
Today's market is highly competitive; only strong companies can stand on their own three feet and survive.