祖逖

Zǔ Tì

proper noun

Meanings

1 Zu Ti
2 Eastern Jin general known for northern expeditions to reclaim lost Central Plains

About Zu Ti

266–321 · 军事家 military leader

Eastern Jin general who led an expedition north to win back the Central Plains. The idioms 闻鸡起舞 (rising at cockcrow to practise the sword) and 中流击楫 (striking the oar midstream) come from his life.

Also called 士稚

Characters

Examples

HSK 7-9

祖逖年轻时与刘琨闻鸡起舞。

Zǔ Tì niánqīng shí yǔ Liú Kūn wén jī qǐwǔ.

In his youth Zu Ti and Liu Kun would rise to practice swordplay at the rooster's crow.

HSK 7-9

祖逖率军北伐，立誓收复中原。

Zǔ Tì shuài jūn běifá, lìshì shōufù Zhōngyuán.

Zu Ti led an army on a northern expedition, vowing to recover the Central Plains.

Tips

history

In 《晋书》 a cock crows at midnight, taken then as a bad omen; Zu Ti kicks his bedfellow 刘琨 awake, says 此非恶声也, 'that is no evil sound', and they rise to practise the sword. The 舞 in 闻鸡起舞 is sword play, not dancing.

Stroke Order

祖 zǔ

逖 tì

祖逖