# 狭路相逢

xiá lù xiāng féng

Rivals meet face to face

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Meeting on a narrow road

**Traditional Chinese:** 狹路相逢

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Use for a direct encounter between competitors or enemies.

Usually implies tension rather than a friendly reunion.

## Understanding the expression

A narrow road leaves little room for two people to avoid each other. The image turns a meeting into an unavoidable confrontation, especially when the people involved are competitors or already dislike one another. Today the encounter can happen in a sports tournament, a bidding process, or an awkward social setting. The expression emphasizes the collision between rivals, without predicting which side will win.

## Examples

两支强队在决赛狭路相逢。

### Traditional Chinese

兩支強隊在決賽狹路相逢。

liǎng zhī qiáng duì zài jué sài xiá lù xiāng féng 。

The two strong teams met head to head in the final.

他们在竞标会上狭路相逢。

### Traditional Chinese

他們在競標會上狹路相逢。

tā men zài jìng biāo huì shàng xiá lù xiāng féng 。

They faced each other as rivals at the bidding meeting.

她与老对手在面试室狭路相逢。

### Traditional Chinese

她與老對手在面試室狹路相逢。

tā yǔ lǎo duì shǒu zài miàn shì shì xiá lù xiāng féng 。

She ran into her longtime rival in the interview room.

这次狭路相逢，谁也不肯让步。

### Traditional Chinese

這次狹路相逢，誰也不肯讓步。

zhè cì xiá lù xiāng féng ， shuí yě bù kěn ràng bù 。

In this confrontation, neither side would yield.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%8B%B9%E8%B7%AF%E7%9B%B8%E9%80%A2)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=694&webMd=1&la=0)

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