4 characters Idiom and proverb 16 533

We strive to offer you free Chinese learning resources. This series focuses on idioms and proverbs, which are rich in meaning and can be used in various situations. Today’s idiom is 「能文能武」, and its meaning and usage are explained below.

Let’s learn about the idiom 「能文能武」! Its detailed explanation and usage are presented below.

Both civil and military skills are fine. It now often refers to someone who can both write and have practical work ability.

The Mandarin pronunciation of this idiom is :

néng wén néng wǔ

while its Cantonese pinyin is :

nang4 man4 nang4 mou5

The world of Chinese idioms is massive, filled with countless expressions, each with distinct meanings and applications. These materials are here to support you as you improve your Chinese skills.