乘风破浪
chéng fēng pò làng
to brave the wind and waves; to forge boldly ahead
Character by character
乘chéng
ride
ride
风fēng
wind
wind
破pò
break
break
浪làng
waves
waves
Example
年轻人就该有乘风破浪的勇气，别怕失败。
The young should have the courage to ride the wind and break the waves, and not be afraid of failing.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
From the 宋书: asked as a boy what he wanted to be, 宗悫 (Zōng Què) said he wished to ride the long wind and break waves for ten thousand li. Said of real voyages and of bold ventures, and very common in good wishes: 祝你乘风破浪.
Learn this in Lesson 97 · HSK 6–7: 郑和下西洋 (Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Ocean)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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