Definition
鼎立 literally means 'to stand like a tripod' and describes a situation where three parties or forces coexist in a balanced, competitive relationship — like the three legs of a bronze vessel (鼎). It's a formal, literary term often used in historical or political contexts (e.g., the Three Kingdoms period 三国鼎立). You cannot use it for two parties or for a general 'balance' — it specifically requires three sides.
n.
(formal) tripartite balance of forcesthree-way standoff
Examples
- 鼎立。Sān guó dǐng lì de júmiàn chíxù le shù shí nián.The tripartite balance of the Three Kingdoms lasted for decades.
- 鼎立。Zhè sān jiā gōngsī xíngchéng le dǐng lì zhī shì.These three companies formed a tripartite balance of power.
- ，鼎立。Lìshǐ shàng, sān guó dǐng lì shì zuì zhùmíng de lìzi.In history, the tripartite balance of the Three Kingdoms is the most famous example.
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