踌躇满志 — “To be immensely proud and content with one's achievements”
踌躇满志 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be immensely proud and content with one's achievements”. To feel very satisfied with one's current state or accomplishments. Literally, “Leisurely and self-satisfied, full of aspiration”.
踌躇满志 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 踌chóu
- 躇chú
- 满mǎn
- 志zhì
踌躇满志 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 踌躇满志
Origin and Story of 踌躇满志
During the Warring States period, King Hui of Liang asked a skilled butcher why his knife could last for twenty years and still be as sharp as new.
The butcher explained that when he first learned to butcher oxen, he was full of ambition yet didn't know where to begin.
However, through gradual exploration, he came to understand the intricate structure of an ox's body, knowing the precise locations of tendons, muscles, and bones. He learned to insert his knife along the natural joints, requiring little effort and thus preserving the blade.
Idioms Related to 踌躇满志
Synonyms of 踌躇满志
Antonyms of 踌躇满志
Questions about 踌躇满志
- What does 踌躇满志 mean?
- 踌躇满志 (chóu chú mǎn zhì) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be immensely proud and content with one's achievements”.
- How do you pronounce 踌躇满志?
- 踌躇满志 is pronounced chóu chú mǎn zhì in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 踌躇满志 literally mean?
- Literally, 踌躇满志 means “Leisurely and self-satisfied, full of aspiration”. It is used to mean “to be immensely proud and content with one's achievements”.
- Where does 踌躇满志 come from?
- 踌躇满志 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 踌躇满志?
- 踌躇：从容自得的样子；满：满足；志：志愿。形容对自己取得的成就非常得意。