破竹

• Reading: はちく
• Romaji: hachiku
• Kanji breakdown: 破 (ha/yabu) — break, split, rend; 竹 (chiku/take) — bamboo
• Pronunciation: /hatɕikɯ/

Meaning

Sweeping advance; unstoppable momentum. Progress or advance so forceful that it cannot be stopped.

Most commonly encountered in the phrase 破竹の勢い (irresistible force, literally 'momentum like splitting bamboo'). When bamboo splits, it continues along its grain without resistance — hence the metaphor for unstoppable forward momentum. Used in sports commentary, military history, business, and politics.

Examples

1. そのチームは破竹の勢いで連勝を重ね、首位に躍り出た。 The team racked up consecutive victories with unstoppable momentum and shot to the top of the standings.
2. 創業から五年、同社は破竹の勢いで業績を拡大してきた。 Five years after its founding, the company has expanded its performance with irresistible force.
3. 新人候補は破竹の勢いで支持を集め、選挙戦を制した。 The newcomer candidate gathered support with unstoppable momentum and prevailed in the election.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, business, politics, military history

Tone: energetic

Origin & History

From the image of splitting bamboo (竹を破る). Once split, bamboo separates effortlessly along its grain — a classical Chinese metaphor, found in military writings, for an advance that encounters no real resistance.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal