时来运转
时来运转 (shí lái yùn zhuǎn) literally means “time comes and fortune turns” and expresses “fortune's wheel will turn.”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: shi lai yun zhuan, shi lai yun zhuan,时来运转 meaning, 时来运转 in english
Fortune's wheel will turn.
Pronunciation: shí lái yùn zhuǎn
Literal meaning: Time comes and fortune turns
Origin & Usage
This optimistic idiom describes the moment when time arrives (时来) and fortune turns (运转). It emerged from the practice of divination during the Zhou Dynasty, where fortune was seen as cyclical rather than fixed. The concept gained particular resonance during the Tang Dynasty, as stories spread of scholars who succeeded at the imperial examinations after years of failure. The phrase captures both the periodic nature of opportunity and the importance of persisting until fortune's wheel turns in one's favor.
Examples
English: "After years of struggle, his business finally found its market opportunity"
Chinese: 经过多年的奋斗，他的企业终于找到了市场机会
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 时来运转 mean in English?
时来运转 (shí lái yùn zhuǎn) literally translates to “Time comes and fortune turns” and is used to express “Fortune's wheel will turn.”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 时来运转 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving fortune's wheel will turn..
What is the pinyin for 时来运转?
The pinyin pronunciation for 时来运转 is “shí lái yùn zhuǎn”.