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投笔从戎

tóu bǐ cóng róng

4-character word Traditional 投筆從戎

What 投笔从戎 means

1. to lay down the pen and take up the sword (idiom)
2. to join the military (esp. of educated person)

The characters in 投笔从戎

• 投tóuto throw (sth in a specific direction: ball, javelin, grenade etc); to cast (a ballot)…
• 笔bǐwriting brush; writing implement (pen, pencil etc); brushstroke…
• 从cóngfrom; through; via; (bound form) to follow; (bound form) to obey
• 戎rónggeneric term for weapons (old); army (matters); military affairs