堅壁清野 jiān bì qīng yě

DEFINITIONS

  1. to fortify defenses and raze the fields (idiom); to leave nothing for the invader
  2. scorched earth policy

CHARACTERS

堅 jiān hard, strong, firm; resolute
壁 bì
HSK 5
partition wall; walls of a house
清 qīng
HSK 3
clear, pure, clean; peaceful
野 yě
HSK 6
open country, field; wilderness