📖 Meaning
This idiom literally means 'smooth wind all the way' and is used to wish someone a safe and pleasant journey. It conveys the hope that the traveler will encounter no difficulties or delays on their trip. It is one of the most common parting blessings in Chinese, used when seeing off friends, family, or colleagues.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase first appears in Qing dynasty literature. In Wen Kang's 'Ernü Yingxiong Zhuan' (Tales of Heroic Sons and Daughters), Chapter 19, it appears in the context of someone discussing retirement and returning to their hometown. In Yu Wanchun's 'Dangkou Zhi' (Annals of Suppressing Bandits), Chapter 122, it describes a period where affairs proceeded smoothly without any interference, allowing the character Wu Yong to gradually recover from illness. The expression evokes the image of favorable tailwinds throughout a journey, and over time it evolved into a standard parting blessing wishing travelers a safe and uneventful trip.
💡 Example Usage
祝你一路顺风，平安到达目的地。
I wish you a smooth journey and a safe arrival at your destination.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 一路顺风
- Pinyin: yī lù shùn fēng
- Literal Translation: one, road, smooth, wind
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4