乘风破浪
乘风破浪 (chéng fēng pò làng) literally means “ride wind break waves” and expresses “boldly forge ahead through adversity”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: cheng feng po lang, cheng feng po lang,乘风破浪 meaning, 乘风破浪 in english
Boldly forge ahead through adversity
Pronunciation: chéng fēng pò làng Literal meaning: Ride wind break waves
Origin & Usage
Li Bai's bold verse from the Tang Dynasty - 'Straight ahead, ride the wind (乘风) and break through waves (破浪)' - gave us this dynamic image of progress through adversity. Originally maritime terminology, Song Dynasty writers transformed it into a broader metaphor for advancement through challenges. The nautical imagery perfectly captures the dual nature of progress - both harnessing favorable forces while actively overcoming resistance. Today it inspires entrepreneurs and innovators facing their own metaphorical seas.
Examples
English: "The startup boldly expanded during economic turbulence while competitors retreated"
Chinese: 当竞争对手退缩时，这家初创公司在经济动荡期间大胆扩张
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
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胸有成竹
xiōng yǒu chéng zhú
Have clear plan beforehand
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步步为营
bù bù wéi yíng
Advance methodically with caution
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急流勇进
jí liú yǒng jìn
Advance boldly through difficulty
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退避三舍
tuì bì sān shè
Make concessions to avoid conflict
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旁敲侧击
páng qiāo cè jī
Approach indirectly to achieve goal
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暗度陈仓
àn dù chén cāng
Achieve secretly through misdirection
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釜底抽薪
fǔ dǐ chōu xīn
Eliminate root cause of problem
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 乘风破浪 mean in English?
乘风破浪 (chéng fēng pò làng) literally translates to “Ride wind break waves” and is used to express “Boldly forge ahead through adversity”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 乘风破浪 used?
Situation: The startup boldly expanded during economic turbulence while competitors retreated
What is the pinyin for 乘风破浪?
The pinyin pronunciation for 乘风破浪 is “chéng fēng pò làng”.