How does that count?
As we know, Chinese directions can be categorized as 六合八方, but none of them is related to the number 10?
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2 Answers
KEY defines: 十面 as: (on) all sides, (from) all sides
Also from a Baidu Zhidao question: 十面指的东,南,西,北，东北，东南，西北，西南,上，下
Ten sides: east, south, west, north, north-east, south-east, north-west, south-west, above, below
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1I think "十" meaning "complete, perfect" is the intention. The Baidu Zhidao theory sounds dubious because it's mixing 六合 and 八方 directions. Apr 9, 2014 at 1:57
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@congusbongus you have reason, but in real life we normally say 四面埋伏. I had had thought that there to be a specific story for that expression... Apr 9, 2014 at 2:14
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3@user3685 "四面埋伏" isn't a chengyu. Sounds like an eggcorn or mistaken for 四面楚歌, which is a synonym. 十面埋伏 is often associated with 垓下之战. Apr 9, 2014 at 2:27
古文中这类数词多有虚指之意，例如“三番五次”是指“许多次”而非“3+5=8次”，“士别三日，当刮目相看”也不是真的隔了“3天”而是一段时间。“十面埋伏”应该也不是严格意义上的“十面”，而是到处都是埋伏的意思吧。
Translation: In ancient China, these kinds of numbers have abstract meanings. For example 三番五次 means "many times" not "3+5 = 8 times", and 士别三日，当刮目相看 also is not separation for 3 days, but rather a period of time.
十面埋伏 also should not be strictly interpreted as "10 faced" but rather ambushes are everywhere.
