10 Chinese Idioms for Prosperity & Wealth - Beyond 恭喜发财

Advance steadily; continuous promotion

Literal meaning: Step by step rising high

This idiom describes step (步) by step (步) rising (升) high (高). Unlike rapid ascent idioms, this depicts steady, continuous advancement. Each step brings higher position. The phrase is a common blessing for career success. Modern usage wishes someone continued promotion and advancement, steady progre...

Gain both fame and fortune

Literal meaning: Fame and profit both obtained

This idiom describes fame (名) and profit (利) both (双) obtained (收). It depicts the ideal outcome where one gains both reputation and financial reward. The phrase represents complete worldly success. Modern usage describes those fortunate enough to achieve both recognition and wealth, the rare combin...

Rise rapidly to high position

Literal meaning: Level steps to blue clouds

This idiom describes level (平) steps (步) to blue (青) clouds (云). It depicts rising to great heights with ease, as if walking casually into the sky. The phrase describes effortless ascent to high positions. Modern usage describes rapid, seemingly effortless career advancement, meteoric rises to succe...

Rise to fame and fortune rapidly

Literal meaning: Flying yellow horse soaring

This idiom describes the flying (飞) yellow horse (黄) soaring (腾达). The yellow horse was a legendary swift steed. The phrase depicts rapid rise to prominence and success. Modern usage describes spectacular career advancement, rising quickly from obscurity to fame and fortune.

Achieve success and fame

Literal meaning: Merit achieved, name established

This idiom describes merit (功) achieved (成) and name (名) established (就). It depicts the completion of one's life work and the establishment of lasting reputation. The phrase represents the culmination of a successful career. Modern usage describes reaching the pinnacle of one's profession, achievin...

Build up from nothing; self-made

Literal meaning: White hands start a family/business

This idiom describes starting a family or business with white/empty (白) hands (手) - meaning no inherited wealth or resources. The phrase celebrates self-made success achieved through one's own efforts without external help or initial capital. It appeared in texts describing merchants and officials w...

Unlimited potential for future success

Literal meaning: Boundless path ahead

This encouraging idiom describes a future path (前途) that has no (无) measure or limit (量), originating from Song Dynasty educational philosophy. It first appeared in examiner evaluations of exceptionally promising students who demonstrated unusual potential. During the Ming Dynasty, the phrase gained...

Reach highest attainable level

Literal meaning: Climb peak reach limit

This expression describes climbing (登) to the mountain peak (峰) and reaching (造) the ultimate limit (极), originating from Daoist geographical texts of the Han Dynasty. It first described pilgrimages to sacred mountains believed to connect heaven and earth. During the Tang Dynasty, it evolved beyond ...

Have victory in the bag; be certain to win

Literal meaning: Firmly hold the winning ticket

This idiom describes firmly (稳) holding (操) the winning (胜) ticket (券). It depicts having victory virtually assured, like holding a winning lottery ticket. The phrase expresses confidence in certain success. Modern usage describes situations where success seems guaranteed, when one has such overwhel...

Prosperous people and powerful nation

Literal meaning: People wealthy, country strong

This idiom describes the people (民) being wealthy (富) and the country (国) being strong (强). It recognizes that national strength comes from citizen prosperity. The phrase appeared in texts on governance emphasizing that enriching the people was the path to state power. Modern usage describes success...