时来运转
时来运转 (shí lái yùn zhuǎn) literally means “time comes and fortune turns” and expresses “fortune's wheel will turn.”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: shi lai yun zhuan, shi lai yun zhuan,时来运转 meaning, 时来运转 in english
Fortune's wheel will turn.
Pronunciation: shí lái yùn zhuǎn Literal meaning: Time comes and fortune turns
Origin & Usage
This optimistic idiom describes the moment when time arrives (时来) and fortune turns (运转). It emerged from the practice of divination during the Zhou Dynasty, where fortune was seen as cyclical rather than fixed. The concept gained particular resonance during the Tang Dynasty, as stories spread of scholars who succeeded at the imperial examinations after years of failure. The phrase captures both the periodic nature of opportunity and the importance of persisting until fortune's wheel turns in one's favor.
Examples
English: "After years of struggle, his business finally found its market opportunity"
Chinese: 经过多年的奋斗,他的企业终于找到了市场机会
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 时来运转 mean in English?
时来运转 (shí lái yùn zhuǎn) literally translates to “Time comes and fortune turns” and is used to express “Fortune's wheel will turn.”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 时来运转 used?
Situation: After years of struggle, his business finally found its market opportunity
What is the pinyin for 时来运转?
The pinyin pronunciation for 时来运转 is “shí lái yùn zhuǎn”.
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