The Early Bird Gets Shot-枪打出头鸟 (qiāng dǎ chū tóu niǎo)

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

"枪打出头鸟" (qiāng dǎ chū tóu niǎo) is a well-known Chinese fable with widespread circulation. The story revolves around a young hunter who, while chasing birds in the forest, always attempts to shoot the one flying highest. Despite the challenges he faces each time, he persists relentlessly and eventually succeeds in shooting down the bird that 引领 (yǐn lǐng) led the flock. This story emphasizes the courage to pursue excellence and surpass mediocrity.

引领 (yǐn lǐng)，verb，led

Examples:

  1. She led the team to victory with her exceptional leadership skills.
    她凭借卓越的领导能力带领团队取得了胜利。
    Tā píngjié zhuóyuè de lǐngdǎo nénglì dàilǐng tuánduì qǔdé le shènglì.
  2. Effective communication is crucial for a leader to successfully lead a team.
    有效的沟通对于领导成功引领团队至关重要。
    Yǒuxiào de gōutōng duìyú lǐngdǎo chénggōng yǐnlǐng tuánduì zhìguān zhòngyào.

Inspiration and Meaning

The story inspires people to strive for excellence and not settle for mediocrity. "枪打出头鸟" (qiāng dǎ chū tóu niǎo) metaphorically describes standing out among many competitors and achieving success. This fable teaches us to overcome difficulties, face challenges with courage, and 努力 (nǔ lì) strive to surpass mediocrity.

努力 (nǔ lì)，verb，strive

Examples:

  1. She always strives to do her best in everything she undertakes.
    她总是努力做好她所承担的一切。
    Tā zǒng shì nǔlì zuò hǎo tā suǒ chéngdān de yīqiè.
  2. We should strive for a more sustainable future to protect the environment.
    我们应该努力追求更可持续的未来，以保护环境。
    Wǒmen yīng gāi nǔlì zhuīqiú gèng kěchíxù de wèilái, yǐ bǎohù huánjìng.

Modern Application

The story of "枪打出头鸟" (qiāng dǎ chū tóu niǎo) holds significant relevance in contemporary society. It reminds us to cultivate a mindset of pursuing excellence and continuously improving our skills and qualities to stand out in our careers and lives. This concept can also be applied to teamwork, motivating team members to pursue higher goals.

Key Sentences:

  1. He has been working diligently, persistently seeking the opportunity to strike ahead of the pack.
    他一直努力工作，坚持追求枪打出头鸟的机会。
    Tā yīzhí nǔlì gōngzuò, jiānchí zhuīqiú qiāng dǎ chūtóu niǎo de jīhuì.
  2. The company encourages employees to innovate and stand out as "strike ahead of the pack."
    公司鼓励员工创新，脱颖而出，成为“枪打出头鸟”。
     Gōngsī gǔlì yuángōng chuàngxīn, tuōyǐng érchū, chéngwéi "qiāng dǎ chūtóu niǎo."
  3. "strike ahead of the pack" is an article rich in profound meaning.
    枪打出头鸟是一篇富含深意的文章。
    "Qiāng dǎ chūtóu niǎo" shì yīpiān fùhán shēnyì de wénzhāng.

Sign up for a free trial now!

FAQ / Tips

Yes, our website offers courses in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters. You can choose the character set that you want to learn based on your personal preference or learning goals.Our courses are designed to accommodate learners of all levels and backgrounds, so whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, we have resources that can help you improve your Chinese language skills.
At Chinese Learning, protecting our customers' personal information is a top priority. We have implemented robust security measures to safeguard your data and prevent any unauthorized access or disclosure. For further information on our privacy practices, please refer to our Privacy Policy, which outlines our commitment to data protection and privacy.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can send an email to: service @chineselearning.com.We have a team of professionals who will be happy to assist you with any issues as soon as possible.
Certainly, we offer a complimentary 30 - minute trial lesson for you to experience our services before committing to a purchase.This will allow you to gain a better understanding of our qualified tutors, innovative teaching methods, comprehensive class materials, and more.We are committed to providing you with the highest level of service and ensuring your satisfaction with our courses.
Before starting any Chinese language course, the teacher will assess your Chinese language proficiency level through a placement test.This helps to determine your current level of understanding and ability in Chinese, and allows the teacher to tailor the course materials and teaching methods to your specific needs and goals. The placement test may include assessments of your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.Based on the results of the test, the teacher will be able to recommend an appropriate course of study for you.
Our students come from a wide range of ages, from 3 years old to over 80 years old. Our courses are tailored to each student's age and proficiency level to ensure they can receive maximum benefit and progress. Whether you want to learn Chinese as a second language or improve your existing Chinese skills, we can provide you with courses and resources that are suitable for you