百发百中
百发百中 (bǎi fā bǎi zhòng) literally means “hundred shots hundred hits” and expresses “perfect accuracy every single time”. 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: bai fa bai zhong, bai fa bai zhong,百发百中 meaning, 百发百中 in english
Perfect accuracy every single time
Pronunciation: bǎi fā bǎi zhòng Literal meaning: Hundred shots hundred hits
Origin & Usage
This idiom originated from Tang Dynasty military assessments of elite archers who could hit the target (中) with every single shot (百发) fired. It first appeared in military texts describing the extraordinary precision achieved by master bowmen after decades of practice. During the Song Dynasty, it extended beyond archery to represent any consistently perfect performance. The quantification was particularly meaningful—'hundred' represented complete sets in Chinese numerology rather than literal counts. Unlike terms simply meaning 'accurate,' it emphasizes flawless perfection across multiple attempts. Modern usage spans sports performance to business decision-making, describing rare perfect consistency in environments where even small success rate variations significantly impact outcomes, particularly when sustained excellence distinguishes true masters from merely skilled practitioners.
When to Use
Situation: The veteran investor made consistently successful decisions throughout the volatile market
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
一心一意
yī xīn yī yì
Wholeheartedly; with undivided attention
Learn more →
脚踏实地
jiǎo tà shí dì
Being practical and down-to-earth
Learn more →
后来居上
hòu lái jū shàng
Latecomers surpass the early starters
Learn more →
马到成功
mǎ dào chéng gōng
Achieve immediate success
Learn more →
虎头蛇尾
hǔ tóu shé wěi
Strong start with weak finish
Learn more →
海底捞针
hǎi dǐ lāo zhēn
Attempt an extremely difficult search
Learn more →
废寝忘食
fèi qǐn wàng shí
So absorbed as to neglect basic needs
Learn more →
东山再起
dōng shān zài qǐ
Make a comeback after setback or retirement
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 百发百中 mean in English?
百发百中 (bǎi fā bǎi zhòng) literally translates to “Hundred shots hundred hits” and is used to express “Perfect accuracy every single time”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 百发百中 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving perfect accuracy every single time.
What is the pinyin for 百发百中?
The pinyin pronunciation for 百发百中 is “bǎi fā bǎi zhòng”.