一往无前
一往无前 (yī wǎng wú qián) literally means “once going, nothing ahead can stop” and expresses “press forward courageously”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: yi wang wu qian, yi wang wu qian,一往无前 meaning, 一往无前 in english
Press forward courageously
Pronunciation: yī wǎng wú qián
Literal meaning: Once going, nothing ahead can stop
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes advancing (往) with single-minded determination, with nothing (无) able to block the way ahead (前). The character 一 emphasizes unwavering focus. The phrase emerged from military contexts describing troops whose morale made them unstoppable. It embodies the ideal of commitment so complete that obstacles become irrelevant. The phrase gained revolutionary significance in modern Chinese history. Modern usage celebrates courageous advancement toward goals despite difficulties, emphasizing determination over calculation of odds.
Examples
English: "With determination, they pushed forward regardless of obstacles."
Chinese: 他们怀着坚定的决心一往无前。
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
匠心独运
jiàng xīn dú yùn
Apply creative genius; show ingenuity
Learn more →
独具匠心
dú jù jiàng xīn
Show great ingenuity; have original design
Learn more →
别具一格
bié jù yī gé
Have unique style; be distinctive
Learn more →
独树一帜
dú shù yī zhì
Be unique; have distinctive style
Learn more →
独占鳌头
dú zhàn áo tóu
Come first; win top honors
Learn more →
出神入化
chū shén rù huà
Reach supernatural skill level
Learn more →
炉火纯青
lú huǒ chún qīng
Reach perfection; master completely
Learn more →
无懈可击
wú xiè kě jī
Flawless; invulnerable to criticism
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 一往无前 mean in English?
一往无前 (yī wǎng wú qián) literally translates to “Once going, nothing ahead can stop” and is used to express “Press forward courageously”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 一往无前 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving press forward courageously.
What is the pinyin for 一往无前?
The pinyin pronunciation for 一往无前 is “yī wǎng wú qián”.