争先恐后
争先恐后 (zhēng xiān kǒng hòu) literally means “compete first fear last” and expresses “rush eagerly to be first, not last”. 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: zheng xian kong hou, zheng xian kong hou,争先恐后 meaning, 争先恐后 in english
Rush eagerly to be first, not last
Pronunciation: zhēng xiān kǒng hòu Literal meaning: Compete first fear last
Origin & Usage
The competitive atmosphere of the Han Dynasty imperial court gave birth to this phrase describing the twin drives of striving to be first (争先) while fearing to be last (恐后). Court historians noted how this combination of ambition and anxiety drove official behavior. Tang Dynasty observers saw the same pattern in broader social competition. Modern usage spans from consumer behavior to professional advancement, capturing how social momentum creates both attraction to leading positions and fear of falling behind.
When to Use
Situation: Investors rushed to purchase shares of the promising new technology company
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
一心一意
yī xīn yī yì
Wholeheartedly; with undivided attention
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脚踏实地
jiǎo tà shí dì
Being practical and down-to-earth
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后来居上
hòu lái jū shàng
Latecomers surpass the early starters
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马到成功
mǎ dào chéng gōng
Achieve immediate success
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虎头蛇尾
hǔ tóu shé wěi
Strong start with weak finish
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海底捞针
hǎi dǐ lāo zhēn
Attempt an extremely difficult search
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废寝忘食
fèi qǐn wàng shí
So absorbed as to neglect basic needs
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东山再起
dōng shān zài qǐ
Make a comeback after setback or retirement
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 争先恐后 mean in English?
争先恐后 (zhēng xiān kǒng hòu) literally translates to “Compete first fear last” and is used to express “Rush eagerly to be first, not last”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 争先恐后 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving rush eagerly to be first, not last.
What is the pinyin for 争先恐后?
The pinyin pronunciation for 争先恐后 is “zhēng xiān kǒng hòu”.