志在四方
zhì zài sì fāng
to have far-reaching ambitions; to be ready to go wherever opportunity is
Character by character
志zhì
ambition
ambition
在zài
lies in
lies in
四sì
four
four
方fāng
directions
directions
Example
年轻人志在四方，不必一辈子守在家乡。
Young people should aim far; there is no need to stay in your home town all your life.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
Traditionally 好男儿志在四方, “a real man’s ambitions lie in all four directions”; today it is said of anyone, women included, who leaves home to build a career, and as encouragement to graduates.
Learn this in Lesson 180 · HSK 7–9: 毕业生的两条路 (Graduates at the crossroads)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
Open the lesson →