一马平川 (yī mǎ píng chuān) — (idiom) a vast, flat expanse of land; smooth and unobstructed terrain

Definition

A chengyu describing a vast, flat stretch of land where a horse can gallop freely. Used figuratively for smooth, unobstructed progress — a career or project that moves forward without obstacles.

idiom
a vastflat expanse of landsmooth and unobstructed terrain

Examples

  • 一马平川，。
    Qián miàn shì yí piàn yī mǎ píng chuān, fēi cháng shì hé qí mǎ bēn pǎo.
    Ahead lies a vast flat plain, perfect for galloping on horseback.
  • ，一马平川，。
    Tā duì zhè tiáo lù hěn shú, jué de yí lù yī mǎ píng chuān, háo wú wēi xiǎn.
    He knows this road well and feels it's smooth sailing all the way, with no danger at all.
  • ，一马平川，。
    Cóng shān dǐng wàng qù, zhěng gè shān gǔ yī mǎ píng chuān, jǐng sè shí fēn zhuàng lì.
    Looking from the mountaintop, the whole valley is a boundless flat land, and the scenery is magnificent.

Origin

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 馬; 马 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 馬 shows a horse with its head facing left, a flowing mane, and two legs standing vertically.

Open 马 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The origin is uncertain. One explanation combines 八 (division) and 亏 (exhaled air) to show smooth speech.

Open 平 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

川 is drawn to look like flowing water.

Open 川 →

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