百尺竿头
百尺竿头 (bǎi chǐ gān tóu) literally means “hundred foot pole top” and expresses “achieve even greater success”. 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 chi gan tou, bai chi gan tou,百尺竿头 meaning, 百尺竿头 in english
Achieve even greater success
Pronunciation: bǎi chǐ gān tóu
Literal meaning: Hundred foot pole top
Origin & Usage
Emerging from Chan Buddhist teachings of the Tang Dynasty, this idiom depicts a person balanced atop a hundred-foot (百尺) pole (竿头). The image comes from a dialogue between Master Fengxue and his disciples about transcendence, suggesting that true achievement requires advancing even when you seem to have reached the summit. The metaphor resonated deeply with scholar-officials preparing for imperial examinations, who understood that reaching high rank was only the beginning of their challenge. Modern usage emphasizes pushing beyond apparent limits, particularly in academic and professional contexts where complacency can halt growth.
Examples
English: "Even after becoming CEO, she continued to study and improve"
Chinese: 即使成为CEO后，她仍在不断学习提高
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Related Chinese Idioms
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jiàng xīn dú yùn
Apply creative genius; show ingenuity
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独具匠心
dú jù jiàng xīn
Show great ingenuity; have original design
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别具一格
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Have unique style; be distinctive
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独树一帜
dú shù yī zhì
Be unique; have distinctive style
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dú zhàn áo tóu
Come first; win top honors
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出神入化
chū shén rù huà
Reach supernatural skill level
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炉火纯青
lú huǒ chún qīng
Reach perfection; master completely
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无懈可击
wú xiè kě jī
Flawless; invulnerable to criticism
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 百尺竿头 mean in English?
百尺竿头 (bǎi chǐ gān tóu) literally translates to “Hundred foot pole top” and is used to express “Achieve even greater success”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 百尺竿头 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving achieve even greater success.
What is the pinyin for 百尺竿头?
The pinyin pronunciation for 百尺竿头 is “bǎi chǐ gān tóu”.