望其项背
望其项背 (wàng qí xiàng bèi) literally means “see only their neck back” and expresses “almost catch up”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: wang qi xiang bei, wang qi xiang bei,望其项背 meaning, 望其项背 in english
Almost catch up
Pronunciation: wàng qí xiàng bèi
Literal meaning: See only their neck back
Origin & Usage
This vivid phrase describes only being able to see someone's neck (项) and back (背) while looking up (望) at them, originally appearing in Confucian texts about students striving to match accomplished masters. The physical imagery of looking up at someone so far ahead that you can only see their back emerged from scholarly traditions where disciples would literally follow behind their teachers. Today, it's used to describe the experience of admiring someone's achievements while acknowledging the significant gap in skills or accomplishments, particularly relevant in professional mentorship and personal development contexts.
Examples
English: "The startup was finally approaching the industry leaders' level"
Chinese: 这家创业公司终于接近了行业领导者的水平
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 望其项背 mean in English?
望其项背 (wàng qí xiàng bèi) literally translates to “See only their neck back” and is used to express “Almost catch up”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 望其项背 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving almost catch up.
What is the pinyin for 望其项背?
The pinyin pronunciation for 望其项背 is “wàng qí xiàng bèi”.