功成身退
功成身退 (gōng chéng shēn tuì) literally means “merit achieved, person withdraws” and expresses “retire after achieving success”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: gong cheng shen tui, gong cheng shen tui,功成身退 meaning, 功成身退 in english
Retire after achieving success
Pronunciation: gōng chéng shēn tuì
Literal meaning: Merit achieved, person withdraws
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes merit (功) achieved (成) and the person (身) withdrawing (退). From the Dao De Jing advising that the wise withdraw after accomplishing their work. The phrase embodies the wisdom of knowing when to step back. Modern usage describes graceful exits after achievement, the wisdom of retiring at one's peak rather than overstaying.
Examples
English: "After completing his mission, he quietly stepped aside."
Chinese: 完成使命后，他功成身退。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 功成身退 mean in English?
功成身退 (gōng chéng shēn tuì) literally translates to “Merit achieved, person withdraws” and is used to express “Retire after achieving success”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 功成身退 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving retire after achieving success.
What is the pinyin for 功成身退?
The pinyin pronunciation for 功成身退 is “gōng chéng shēn tuì”.