諺語 · a single proverb
長風破浪
Simplified: 长风破浪
What does 長風破浪 (cháng fēng pò làng) mean?
長風破浪 (cháng fēng pò làng) is a line of classical verse (shīcí 詩詞). Word for word it reads "riding the long wind to break through the waves." In use it means: Pursuing great ambitions with confidence and determination; believing that one day the wind will carry you to your destination. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Wood note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Dragon.
Literally: "riding the long wind to break through the waves."
The reading
Zong Que was a boy when he said: I will ride the long wind and break the waves of ten thousand miles. Everyone smiled at the child's ambition. He grew up and did exactly that. The smile of the doubter costs nothing. The determination of the dreamer builds everything. Let them smile. Ride the wind.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Book of Song 宋書, Zong Que biography (宗愨傳)
Sits beside
Keep reading
Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Courage & Decisive Action, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dragon, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 長風破浪 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 長風破浪 (cháng fēng pò làng) is a line of classical verse (shīcí 詩詞), and it comes from Book of Song 宋書, Zong Que biography (宗愨傳). It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.
How do you pronounce 長風破浪?
In Mandarin it is cháng fēng pò làng. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 長風破浪 aloud in Mandarin.