腾空而起 (téng kōng ér qǐ) — to soar into the sky; (figurative) to rise rapidly in life or career through persistent effort

Definition

A vivid idiom meaning 'to soar into the sky' — used literally for things that leap or rise high (rockets, birds, athletes), and figuratively for someone rising fast in career or status through effort.

idiom
to soar into the sky(figurative) to rise rapidly in life or career through persistent effort

Examples

  • 腾空而起，。
    Huǒ jiàn téng kōng ér qǐ, fēi xiàng tài kōng.
    The rocket soared into the sky, flying toward space.
  • ，腾空而起。
    Tā píng jiè nǔ lì hé néng lì, zài gōng sī lǐ téng kōng ér qǐ.
    Through his effort and ability, he skyrocketed within the company.
  • 腾空而起，。
    Zhè jiā chū chuàng qǐ yè qù nián téng kōng ér qǐ, chéng wéi háng yè lǐng tóu yáng.
    This startup soared into prominence last year, becoming an industry leader.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 騰; 腾 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
馬馬mǎhorse
Sound part声符shēngfú
朕
朕zhèn騰téng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 騰 pairs 馬 (horse) with 朕 as a sound part; it described a horse's gallop or prance. The simplified 腾 is a later shorthand.

Open 腾 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
穴穴xuécave, hole
Sound part声符shēngfú
工
工gōng空kōng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

空 is built from 穴, a cave or hole, and 工, which gives the sound.

Open 空 →

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

The shape of 而 is a picture of a beard.

Open 而 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
走走zǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
巳
巳sì起qǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

起 is made from 走 and 巳: 走 is the part connected with walking or running, and 巳 gives the sound.

Open 起 →

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