功成身退
功成身退 (gōng chéng shēn tuì) literally means “merit achieved, person withdraws”and expresses “retire after achieving success”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom & learning.
Also searched as: gong cheng shen tui, gong cheng shen tui,功成身退 meaning, 功成身退 in english
Pronunciation: gōng chéng shēn tuì Literal meaning: Merit achieved, person withdraws
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes merit (功) achieved (成) and the person (身) withdrawing (退). From the Dao De Jing advising that the wise withdraw after accomplishing their work. The phrase embodies the wisdom of knowing when to step back. Modern usage describes graceful exits after achievement, the wisdom of retiring at one's peak rather than overstaying.
When to Use
Situation: After completing his mission, he quietly stepped aside.
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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驾轻就熟
jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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轻车熟路
qīng chē shú lù
Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
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游刃有余
yóu rèn yǒu yú
Handle with ease; have skill to spare
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成竹在胸
chéng zhú zài xiōng
Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident
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适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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见好就收
jiàn hǎo jiù shōu
Quit while ahead; take profits
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急流勇退
jí liú yǒng tuì
Retire at the peak; know when to quit
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 功成身退 mean in English?
功成身退 (gōng chéng shēn tuì) literally translates to “Merit achieved, person withdraws”and is used to express “Retire after achieving success”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theWisdom & Learning category..
When is 功成身退 used?
Situation: After completing his mission, he quietly stepped aside.
What is the pinyin for 功成身退?
The pinyin pronunciation for 功成身退 is “gōng chéng shēn tuì”.