锦绣前程 (jǐn xiù qián chéng) — glorious future, bright prospects | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A formal, written idiom (set blessing) for a 'glorious future / bright prospects,' used in speeches, cards, and ceremonies rather than daily talk. Close to 前程, but more literary and celebratory.

idiom

glorious futurebright prospects

Examples

锦绣前程，！
Zhù nǐ jǐn xiù qián chéng, shì yè yǒu chéng!
Wishing you a glorious future and success in your career!
锦绣前程。
Tā xiāng xìn tōng guò nǔ lì yí dìng néng kāi chuàng jǐn xiù qián chéng.
He believes that through hard work he can definitely create a bright future.
，锦绣前程。
Bì yè diǎn lǐ shàng, xiào zhǎng zhù dà jiā jǐn xiù qián chéng.
At the graduation ceremony, the principal wished everyone a glorious future.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

锦绣splendid silk

锦jǐnbrocade绣xiùembroidery

联合Coordinate

前程future

前qiánfront程chéngjourney

偏正Modifier + head

锦 and 绣 are fine silks, while 前 and 程 make the road ahead, so the whole phrase paints a splendid future.

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 錦; 锦 is its simplified writing.

金帛錦

Meaning part形符xíngfú

帛帛bó

Sound part声符shēngfú

金

金jīn錦jǐn

Same sound today

The traditional form 錦 pairs 金, which gives its sound, with 帛, cloth.

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 繡; 绣 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糸糸mìsilk

Sound part声符shēngfú

肅

肅sù繡xiù

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

For 绣, the traditional form 繡 pairs 糸, silk, with 肅 to give the sound.

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

止止zhǐfoot
舟舟zhōuboat

In the older form of 前, 止 (foot) and 舟 (boat) showed a foot on a boat moving forward; in the current 前 those parts are shortened.

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

禾呈程

Meaning part形符xíngfú

禾禾hégrain

Sound part声符shēngfú

呈

呈chéng程chéng

Same sound today

程 is made from 禾 (grain) and 呈 (pronounced chéng); the evidence gives measurements.

Appears in

HSK 2.0 Level 6

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