胸有成竹
胸有成竹 (xiōng yǒu chéng zhú) literally means “bamboo ready in heart” and expresses “have clear plan beforehand”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: xiong you cheng zhu, xiong you cheng zhu,胸有成竹 meaning, 胸有成竹 in english
Have clear plan beforehand
Pronunciation: xiōng yǒu chéng zhú
Literal meaning: Bamboo ready in heart
Origin & Usage
This idiom originated from Southern Song Dynasty painter Wen Yuke's approach to bamboo painting. Before touching brush to paper, he would completely visualize the bamboo (竹) in his heart/mind (胸), ensuring it was fully formed (成) in his imagination. The practice exemplified the Chinese artistic principle of mental preparation before execution. Modern usage extends far beyond art to any situation requiring thorough mental preparation - from business presentations to athletic performances. It emphasizes the importance of clear visualization and mental readiness before taking action.
Examples
English: "The architect had a complete vision of the building before drawing the first line"
Chinese: 建筑师在画第一笔之前就已经对建筑有了完整的构想
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 胸有成竹 mean in English?
胸有成竹 (xiōng yǒu chéng zhú) literally translates to “Bamboo ready in heart” and is used to express “Have clear plan beforehand”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 胸有成竹 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving have clear plan beforehand.
What is the pinyin for 胸有成竹?
The pinyin pronunciation for 胸有成竹 is “xiōng yǒu chéng zhú”.