有志者事竟成

Pronunciation: yǒu zhì zhě shì jìng chéng Literal meaning: Those with will succeed

Origin & Usage

The idiom 有志者事竟成 (yǒu zhì zhě shì jìng chéng) originates from the historical account of Geng Yan, a general under the Eastern Han dynasty's Emperor Guangwu. Geng Yan was tasked with defeating the formidable warlord Zhang Bu. Despite being outnumbered and wounded in battle, Geng Yan's unwavering determination led to a decisive victory. Emperor Guangwu praised him, acknowledging that 'those with determination (有志者) will see their tasks (事) through to completion (竟成).' This idiom emphasizes the power of perseverance and resolve. In modern usage, it encourages individuals to pursue their goals with tenacity, suggesting that success is attainable through steadfast effort.

Examples

English: "With determination and hard work, she finally reached her goals."

Chinese: 有志者事竟成，经过不懈努力，他终于实现了自己的梦想。