胸有成竹
胸有成竹 (xiōng yǒu chéng zhú) literally means “bamboo ready in heart”and expresses “have clear plan beforehand”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy & action.
Also searched as: xiong you cheng zhu, xiong you cheng zhu,胸有成竹 meaning, 胸有成竹 in english
Pronunciation: xiōng yǒu chéng zhú Literal meaning: Bamboo ready in heart
Origin & Usage
This idiom originated from Southern Song Dynasty painter Wen Yuke's approach to bamboo painting. Before touching brush to paper, he would completely visualize the bamboo (竹) in his heart/mind (胸), ensuring it was fully formed (成) in his imagination. The practice exemplified the Chinese artistic principle of mental preparation before execution. Modern usage extends far beyond art to any situation requiring thorough mental preparation - from business presentations to athletic performances. It emphasizes the importance of clear visualization and mental readiness before taking action.
When to Use
Situation: The architect had a complete vision of the building before drawing the first line
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
独具匠心
dú jù jiàng xīn
Show great ingenuity; have original design
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别具一格
bié jù yī gé
Have unique style; be distinctive
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独树一帜
dú shù yī zhì
Be unique; have distinctive style
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得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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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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万无一失
wàn wú yī shī
Absolutely sure; foolproof
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密不透风
mì bù tòu fēng
Airtight; impenetrable
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 胸有成竹 mean in English?
胸有成竹 (xiōng yǒu chéng zhú) literally translates to “Bamboo ready in heart”and is used to express “Have clear plan beforehand”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theStrategy & Action category..
When is 胸有成竹 used?
Situation: The architect had a complete vision of the building before drawing the first line
What is the pinyin for 胸有成竹?
The pinyin pronunciation for 胸有成竹 is “xiōng yǒu chéng zhú”.
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