东山再起
东山再起 (dōng shān zài qǐ) literally means “east mountain again rise” and expresses “make a comeback after setback or retirement”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: dong shan zai qi, dong shan zai qi,东山再起 meaning, 东山再起 in english
Make a comeback after setback or retirement
Pronunciation: dōng shān zài qǐ Literal meaning: East mountain again rise
Origin & Usage
The story of Jin Dynasty official Xie An, who retreated to East Mountain (东山) before making a triumphant return to high office, gave us this enduring image of strategic withdrawal followed by powerful comeback. Tang Dynasty historians transformed his specific experience into a broader pattern of career revival. The mountain imagery perfectly captured both retreat and elevation, suggesting how temporary withdrawal often enables eventual ascension.
Examples
English: "After bankruptcy, the entrepreneur rebuilt his business empire from scratch"
Chinese: 破产后，这位企业家从头开始重建了他的商业帝国
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
一鸣惊人
yī míng jīng rén
Sudden, remarkable success
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百折不挠
bǎi zhé bù náo
Unshakeable despite adversity
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水滴石穿
shuǐ dī shí chuān
Persistence achieves anything
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门庭若市
mén tíng ruò shì
Extremely popular
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天道酬勤
tiān dào chóu qín
Heaven rewards diligence
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破釜沉舟
pò fǔ chén zhōu
Commit with no retreat
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守时如金
shǒu shí rú jīn
Value time preciously
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青出于蓝
qīng chū yú lán
Student surpasses master
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 东山再起 mean in English?
东山再起 (dōng shān zài qǐ) literally translates to “East mountain again rise” and is used to express “Make a comeback after setback or retirement”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 东山再起 used?
Situation: After bankruptcy, the entrepreneur rebuilt his business empire from scratch
What is the pinyin for 东山再起?
The pinyin pronunciation for 东山再起 is “dōng shān zài qǐ”.
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