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志在四方
志在四方
志在四方
志在四方
志在四方
志在四方
志在四方
志在四方
志在四方
志在四方

志在四方 — “To have great ambitions and aspirations”

志在四方 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to have great ambitions and aspirations”. To aspire to achieve great things far and wide; to have a global vision. Literally, “Aspiration in all four directions”.

Frequency

志在四方 Pronunciation and Pinyin

  • 志zhì
  • 在zài
  • 四sì
  • 方fāng

志在四方 Character Breakdown

CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
志
zhì7will, aspiration, ambition
在
zài6to be at or in
四
sì5the number four
方
fāng4square, direction, method, just

Example Sentence with 志在四方

他从小就志在四方,希望能探索更广阔的世界,实现自己的价值。
From a young age, he had great ambitions, hoping to explore a wider world and realize his potential.

Origin and Story of 志在四方

During the Spring and Autumn period, Chong'er, a prince of the Jin state, fled to the Qi state. Duke Huan of Qi married his daughter, Qi Jiang, to Chong'er. Chong'er lived a comfortable and leisurely life in Qi for seven years.

His retainers grew anxious, discussing how he should return to Jin to vie for the throne. Qi Jiang also believed that a man of ambition should have grand aspirations (志在四方) and achieve great things. Therefore, she conspired with Chong'er's subordinates to devise a plan to send him away from Qi.

Idioms Related to 志在四方

Synonyms of 志在四方

  • xióng雄xīn心zhuàng壮zhì志Great ambitions and lofty aspirations

Antonyms of 志在四方

  • xiōng胸wú无dà大zhì志to have no great ambition
  • shǔ鼠mù目cùn寸guāng光Short-sighted and narrow-minded

More idioms starting with 志

  • zhì志chōng冲dǒu斗niú牛soaring ambition or towering rage
  • zhì志chōng冲niú牛dòu斗To have lofty aspirations
  • zhì志tóng同xīn心hé合to be of one mind
  • zhì志tóng同qì气hé合share same aspirations
  • zhì志tóng同dào道hé合share the same aspirations and ideals
  • zhì志zài在qiān千lǐ里Aim high and far
  • zhì志zài在sì四hǎi海Aspiring to achieve great things worldwide
  • zhì志jiān坚xíng行kǔ苦firm will, arduous effort
  • zhì志shì士rén仁rén人Noble, benevolent, and sacrificing individuals
  • zhì志dà大cái才shū疏ambitious but lacking in talent
  • zhì志dà大cái才duǎn短ambitious but incompetent
  • zhì志dà大liàng量xiǎo小grand ambition, narrow mind

Questions about 志在四方

What does 志在四方 mean?
志在四方 (zhì zài sì fāng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to have great ambitions and aspirations”.
How do you pronounce 志在四方?
志在四方 is pronounced zhì zài sì fāng in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 志在四方 literally mean?
Literally, 志在四方 means “Aspiration in all four directions”. It is used to mean “to have great ambitions and aspirations”.
Where does 志在四方 come from?
志在四方 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 志在四方?
四方:天下。有远大的抱负和理想。
Copy the pinyin for 志在四方 →Choose tone marks or tone numbers and copy the complete four-character reading.Read Chinese vocabulary and idiom guides →Continue with words, phrases, and idioms explained through natural examples.

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