📖 Meaning
This idiom metaphorically describes someone with grand ambitions who fearlessly pushes forward through difficulties. It evokes the image of a ship riding strong winds and cleaving through towering waves to reach its distant destination. It is most often used to express confidence and determination in the pursuit of lofty goals.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Biography of Zong Que in the Book of Song (南朝宋). When Zong Que was young, his uncle Zong Bing asked him about his aspirations. Zong Que boldly replied, 'I wish to ride the long wind and break through ten thousand li of waves.' The Tang poet Li Bai later immortalized the phrase in his famous poem 'Hard Roads of Shu' (行路难), writing 'The time will come to ride the long wind and break the waves, then hoist the cloud-sail to cross the vast sea.'
💡 Example Usage
年轻人要有长风破浪的志向，才能在逆境中不断前行。
Young people should have the ambition to ride the wind and break the waves, so they can keep forging ahead through adversity.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 长风破浪
- Pinyin: cháng fēng pò làng
- Literal Translation: long wind, break waves
- Category: Determination
- Characters: 4