鼎足三分 three-legged balance
Explanation
比喻三方势力对峙，力量均衡的局面。通常指三方势力各自占据一定的区域或领域，形成相互制衡的局面。
A metaphor for a situation where three forces stand against each other, and the balance of power is balanced. Usually refers to three forces, each occupying a certain area or field, forming a situation of mutual checks and balances.
Origin Story
话说东汉末年，天下大乱，群雄逐鹿，最终形成了曹操、刘备、孙权三足鼎立的局面。曹操占据北方，势力最为强大；刘备占据益州，励精图治；孙权占据江东，稳固后方。三国之间，互有攻伐，却又谁也吞并不了谁，形成了长期对峙的局面。这便是历史上著名的“三国鼎立”时期。 然而，这看似平衡的局面，其实暗藏危机。三国之间，尔虞我诈，猜忌不断，为了争夺天下，他们不断地进行战争，百姓也饱受战乱之苦。最终，司马炎统一全国，结束了“鼎足三分”的局面。这个故事告诉我们，虽然表面上看起来很平衡的局面，实际上也充满了各种不确定性，稍有不慎，就会导致全局崩盘。
In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the world was in great chaos, and many warlords fought for supremacy, finally resulting in a three-way stalemate between Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan. Cao Cao controlled the north and was the most powerful; Liu Bei controlled Yizhou and governed diligently; Sun Quan controlled Jiangdong and secured his rear. There were mutual attacks between the three kingdoms, but none could completely subdue the others, resulting in a long stalemate. This is the famous period of the "Three Kingdoms" in history. However, this seemingly balanced situation was actually fraught with danger. There was deception, suspicion, and constant warfare between the three kingdoms in order to compete for dominance, and the people also suffered greatly from the war. Finally, Sima Yan unified the entire country, ending the situation of the "three equal powers." This story teaches us that even a seemingly balanced situation is actually full of uncertainties, and a slight carelessness can lead to the collapse of the entire situation.
Usage
多用于形容三方势力力量均衡，互相制衡的局面。
Often used to describe a situation where three forces are balanced and check and balance each other.
Examples
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三国时期，魏蜀吴三足鼎立，形成了鼎足三分的局面。
sānguó shíqí, wèi shǔ wú sān zú dǐnglì, xíngchéngle dǐngzú sān fēn de júmiàn.
During the Three Kingdoms period, Wei, Shu, and Wu formed a three-legged balance, creating a situation of three equal powers.
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如今，这三个公司鼎足三分，市场竞争异常激烈
rújīn, zhè sān ge gōngsī dǐngzú sān fēn, shìchǎng jìngzhēng yìcháng jīliè
Today, these three companies control the market equally, and the competition is extremely fierce