功成名就

Pronunciation: gōng chéng míng jiù Literal meaning: Merit achieved, name established

Origin & Usage

The work (功) completed (成) and the name (名) established (就). Both halves are achievements and the order is causal: the reputation follows the accomplishment rather than accompanying it. That is what makes the phrase retrospective. It describes a career that is finished rather than one going well, which is why it goes to people at the end of things — and why saying it of somebody still working can sound like a suggestion that they stop.

Examples

English: "After decades of work, he finally achieved recognition."

Chinese: 经过数十年的努力，他终于功成名就。