光宗耀祖
光宗耀祖 (guāng zōng yào zǔ) literally means “honor ancestors and family” and expresses “bring family pride”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: guang zong yao zu, guang zong yao zu,光宗耀祖 meaning, 光宗耀祖 in english
Bring family pride
Pronunciation: guāng zōng yào zǔ Literal meaning: Honor ancestors and family
Origin & Usage
To bring light (光) to the clan (宗) and make the ancestors (祖) shine (耀). The direction is what matters: achievement is not the individual's to keep but flows backwards up the line, and in a system of ancestral rites the dead have a real stake in it. That is why examination success was a family event. The phrase is still used in earnest and also, increasingly, ironically by younger Chinese speakers describing the weight of expectation that comes attached to it.
Examples
English: "He achieved great success, making his family proud and honored."
Chinese: 他取得了巨大的成功，让家族光宗耀祖。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
凿壁偷光
záo bì tōu guāng
Study despite poverty
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浮光掠影
fú guāng lüè yǐng
Superficial impression without depth
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通宵达旦
tōng xiāo dá dàn
Work through the entire night
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金碧辉煌
jīn bì huī huáng
Magnificently splendid
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光明磊落
guāng míng lěi luò
Upright and open; above board
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高风亮节
gāo fēng liàng jié
Noble and steadfast
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 光宗耀祖 mean in English?
光宗耀祖 (guāng zōng yào zǔ) literally translates to “Honor ancestors and family” and is used to express “Bring family pride”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 光宗耀祖 used?
Situation: He achieved great success, making his family proud and honored.
What is the pinyin for 光宗耀祖?
The pinyin pronunciation for 光宗耀祖 is “guāng zōng yào zǔ”.