crave for greatness; be ambitious for success
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to crave for greatness and success regardless of conditions; to be ambitious for great achievements
derogatoryOriginally from historical texts describing rulers who sought grand achievements without regard for practical constraints. Now used to criticize unrealistic ambition or pretentiousness.
Tā他
zhè这
gè个
rén人
hào好
dà大
xǐ喜
gōng功
，
zǒng总
shì是
zhì制
dìng定
yī一
xiē些
bù不
qiè切
shí实
jì际
de的
mù目
biāo标
。
He is always craving greatness and setting unrealistic goals.
Zuò做
gōng工
zuò作
yào要
jiǎo脚
tà踏
shí实
dì地
，
bù不
néng能
hào好
dà大
xǐ喜
gōng功
。
You must work in a down-to-earth manner and not seek grandiose achievements.
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Hào好
dà大
xǐ喜
gōng功
de的
zuò作
fēng风
zuì最
zhōng终
huì会
hài害
le了
zì自
jǐ己
。
The style of seeking empty glory will ultimately harm oneself.
Zhè这
wèi位
lǐng领
dǎo导
hào好
dà大
xǐ喜
gōng功
，
gǎo搞
le了
xǔ许
duō多
xíng形
xiàng象
gōng工
chéng程
。
This leader craved greatness and launched many vanity projects.