人微权轻 rén wēi quán qīng insignificant and powerless

Explanation

指人的地位低，权力小，说话难以让人信服。

Refers to a person's low status and little power, whose words are difficult to convince people.

Origin Story

战国时期，齐国面临着来自晋国和燕国的侵略，国力衰弱。当时，有个叫穰苴的人，出身低微，是妾室所生，在朝中没有什么权势，人微权轻。但他深谋远虑，精通军事。晏婴看重他的才能，向齐景公推荐了他。齐景公任命穰苴为将，却担心他不被士兵和百姓服从，于是派了一位权臣作为监军，监督穰苴的行动。穰苴深知自己人微权轻，必须先树立威信。上任伊始，他就当着众将士的面，毫不犹豫地处死了傲慢不逊的监军，以示军法森严，震慑了众人。然后，他励精图治，整顿军纪，训练军队，最终以少胜多，打败了强敌，保卫了齐国的安全。这个故事说明，即使人微权轻，只要有能力，有胆识，也能成就一番事业。

zhanguoshiqi, qiguo mianlinzhe laizi jinguo he yan guo de qinlue, guoli shuai ruo. dangshi, you ge jiao rang ju de ren, chushen diwei, shi qieshi suosheng, zai zhao zhong meiyou shenme quan shi, ren wei quan qing. dan ta shenmou yuanlv, jingtong junshi. yan ying kanzhong ta de cainei, xiang qijing gong tuijianle ta. qijing gong renming rang ju wei jiang, que danxin ta bu bei bing shi he baixing fuchong, yushi pai le yi wei quanchen zuowei jianjun, jian du rang ju de xingdong. rang ju shen zhi ziji ren wei quan qing, bixu xian shuli weixin. shangren yishi, ta jiu dangzhe zhongjiang shi de mian, hao bu youyu de chushile aoman buxun de jianjun, yishi junfa senyan, zhenshe le zhongren. ranhou, ta lijingtushu, zhengdun junji, xunlian jundui, zhongyu yi shaosheng duo, daba le qiangdi, baoweile qiguo de anquan. zhege gushi shuoming, jishi ren wei quan qing, zhi yao you nengli, you danshi, yenen chengjiu yifang shiye.

During the Warring States period, the state of Qi faced invasions from the states of Jin and Yan, weakening its strength. At that time, there was a man named Rang Ju, who came from humble beginnings, born as an illegitimate child, and had no power in the court. However, he was far-sighted and a military genius. Yan Ying recognized his talent and recommended him to King Jing of Qi. King Jing appointed Rang Ju as a general, but he feared that he would not be obeyed by the soldiers and the people, so he appointed a powerful minister as a military inspector to supervise Rang Ju's actions. Rang Ju knew that he had little influence and had to establish his prestige first. Upon taking office, he unceremoniously executed the arrogant and disrespectful military inspector in front of all the soldiers to demonstrate strict military discipline and intimidate everyone. Then, he worked diligently to improve military discipline and train the army, eventually defeating the enemy with fewer soldiers and protecting the security of the state of Qi. This story shows that even a person with little influence, if he is capable and courageous, can achieve great things.

Usage

常用来形容一个人在社会或组织中的地位和影响力不高，权力有限。

chang yong lai xingrong yige ren zai shehui huo zuzhi zhong de diwei he yingxiangli bu gao, quanxian youxian

Often used to describe a person's low status and limited influence in society or an organization.

Examples

• 他虽然位高权重，但实际人微权轻，难以服众。

  ta suiran weigaoquan zhong, dan shiji ren wei quan qing, nan yi fu zhong

  Although he holds a high position, he is actually insignificant and has little influence, so he cannot convince people.

• 在公司里，他资历尚浅，人微权轻，说话常常不被重视。

  zai gongsi li, ta zhili shangqian, ren wei quan qing, shuohua changchang bu bei zhongshi

  In the company, he has little experience, is insignificant and has little influence, so his words are often not taken seriously

Related Idioms

• 人微言轻

• 势单力薄

Opposite Idioms

• 位高权重

• 权倾朝野