Basic Info
Chinese Idiom: 三人成虎
Pinyin: sān rén chéng hǔ
Literal Meaning: Three people claiming there is a tiger creates belief in a tiger.
Figurative Meaning: False reports, rumors or hearsay, when repeated over and over by multiple people, will gradually convince others to treat them as truth.
Cultural & historical background
This story comes from the Warring States Records (Zhanguoce, 《战国策》), during the Warring States period (c. 3rd century BCE).
A high official of the state of Wei, Pang Gong (Pang Cong, 庞恭, 庞葱), was about to accompany the Crown Prince on a diplomatic mission to the state of Zhao. Before leaving, Pang Cong asked the King of Wei a question:
“If someone reports to you that there is a tiger on the main street of the capital, would you believe it?”
The King laughed and said:
“Of course not. There are no tigers in the capital city.”
Pang Gong (Pang Cong) asked again:
“What if two people come and say the same thing?”
The King hesitated and replied:
“I would start to doubt.”
Pang Cong pressed on:
“And if three people all say they saw a tiger on the main street – would you believe it then?”
The King nodded: “Yes. If three people say it, I would believe it.”
Pang Cong then revealed his true concern:
“Your Majesty, the main street is clearly not a place where tigers roam. But just because three people claim they saw one, you would take it as fact. Now I am leaving Wei for distant Zhao – and I am sure more than three people will spread rumors and slander me while I am gone. I beg you, please use your own judgment and do not rely on hearsay.”
The King promised to ignore the gossip. However, after Pang Cong left, many people indeed spoke ill of him. Over time, the King began to believe the rumors and eventually lost trust in Pang Cong. When Pang Cong returned, the King refused to see him.
Key Lesson
Truth is not determined by a vote. Just because a claim is repeated many times does not make it factual. The idiom teaches us to think critically, verify information independently, and resist the pressure of popular opinion. In a world of echo chambers and viral misinformation, “三人成虎” is more relevant than ever.
Similar English Expressions
- A lie repeated a thousand times becomes the truth;
- If everyone says it, it must be true;
- Rumor has it;
- Jump on the bandwagon;
- Appeal to popularity / bandwagon fallacy
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