chūnfēngdéyì

春风得意

Word · IdiomTraditional春風得意

to be flushed with success; to ride on the crest of success

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

1 sense · 4 examples
1.

idiom

to be flushed with success; to ride high

literary

The idiom originates from a Tang Dynasty poem by Meng Jiao describing the joy of passing the imperial examination (jinshi). Today, it broadly describes the elation of any kind of success, such as career advancement, personal achievement, or smooth progress. Often used with a slightly admiring or descriptive tone, but can sometimes carry a nuance of smugness if used critically.

Tā他
zuì最
jìn近
shēng升
zhí职
jiā加
xīn薪
 ,
zhèng正
shì是
chūn春
fēng风
dé得
yì意
de的
shí时
hou候
 。

He was recently promoted and got a raise; he's riding high right now.

Kàn看
tā他
nà那
fù副
chūn春
fēng风
dé得
yì意
de的
yàng样
zi子
 ,
kěn肯
dìng定
shì是
bǐ比
sài赛
yíng赢
le了
 。

Look at his triumphant expression; he must have won the competition.

Show 2 more examples
Gōng公
sī司
shàng上
shì市
hòu后
 ,
lǎo老
bǎn板
měi每
tiān天
dōu都
chūn春
fēng风
dé得
yì意
de的
 。

After the company went public, the boss has been walking on air every day.

Xī昔
rì日
de的
tóng同
xué学
rú如
jīn今
yǐ已
shì是
chūn春
fēng风
dé得
yì意
de的
zhèng政
jiè界
xīn新
xīng星
 。

A former classmate is now a rising political star riding on the crest of success.