項莊舞劍，意在沛公 xiàng zhuāng wǔ jiàn ， yì zài pèi gōng

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. Xiang Zhuang performs the sword dance, but his mind is set on Liu Bang 劉邦|刘邦[Liu2 Bang1] (idiom); refers to 206 BC plot to murder Liu Bang, aka Duke of Pei 沛公[Pei4 gong1] and the future Han emperor, during a sword dance at Feast at Hongmen 鴻門宴|鸿门宴[Hong2 men2 Yan4]
  2. an elaborate deception to hide malicious intent

CHARACTERS

項 xiàng neck, nape of neck; sum; funds
莊 zhuāng village, hamlet; villa; surname
舞 wǔ
HSK 2
dance, posture, prance; brandish
劍 jiàn sword, dagger, saber
意 yì
HSK 2
thought, idea, opinion; think
在 zài
HSK 1
be at, in, on; consist in, rest
沛 pèi
HSK 6
abundant, full, copious; sudden
公 gōng
HSK 2
fair, equitable; public; duke