Chinese idiom · 成语
英雄豪杰
Meaning
Heroes and bold spirits; gallant champions.
Character by character
Origin and story
literary usageA documented exact use appears in the final chapter of the Ming novel Chanzhen Yishi. Characters discuss the Prince of Qin, Li Shimin, praising his achievements and saying that outstanding men everywhere are drawn to him. Yet the scene also warns of danger within his family and imagines leaving public life for Daoist wandering. The phrase therefore belongs to a literary portrayal of celebrated figures, not to a single list of heroes established by history. Its paired terms emphasize exceptional ability and courage. Today it can refer to remarkable people in history or fiction, or be used rhetorically to praise contemporary courage.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
读完这本历史小说，孩子们开始讨论书中的英雄豪杰。
After finishing this historical novel, the children began discussing its heroic figures.
An elevated collective description of people distinguished by courage or exceptional ability.