马到功成
马到功成 (mǎ dào gōng chéng) literally means “horse arrives, success achieved” and expresses “swift success”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: ma dao gong cheng, ma dao gong cheng,马到功成 meaning, 马到功成 in english
Swift success
Pronunciation: mǎ dào gōng chéng Literal meaning: Horse arrives, success achieved
Origin & Usage
The idiom 马到功成 (mǎ dào gōng chéng) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe achieving success swiftly and efficiently. The phrase literally translates to 'the horse arrives, success is achieved,' painting a vivid image of a victorious return from battle as soon as the horse reaches its destination. The idiom first appeared in the Yuan dynasty play 楚昭公 (Chǔ Zhāo Gōng) by Zheng Tingyu, where it was used to express the hope for a quick and triumphant military campaign. In modern contexts, this idiom is often used to wish someone success in new endeavors, such as business ventures or projects, and is frequently paired with 旗开得胜 (qí kāi dé shèng), meaning 'to win the first battle.'
Examples
English: "With his quick decision-making, the project was completed successfully in no time."
Chinese: 凭借他的快速决策，项目马到功成。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 马到功成 mean in English?
马到功成 (mǎ dào gōng chéng) literally translates to “Horse arrives, success achieved” and is used to express “Swift success”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 马到功成 used?
Situation: With his quick decision-making, the project was completed successfully in no time.
What is the pinyin for 马到功成?
The pinyin pronunciation for 马到功成 is “mǎ dào gōng chéng”.