顺利 (shùn lì) — smooth, successful, without problems

Definition

顺利 describes an event or process going smoothly without problems (a trip, exam, project). Unlike 成功, which focuses on achieving a goal, 顺利 emphasizes the process itself being free of obstacles.

adjective

smoothsuccessfulwithout problems

Examples

顺利。
Zhè cì kǎo shì hěn shùn lì.
This exam went smoothly.
顺利。
Xiàng mù jìn xíng dé hěn shùn lì.
The project is progressing smoothly.
顺利。
Xī wàng nǐ de lǚ xíng yí qiè shùn lì.
Hope your trip goes smoothly.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

顺shùnsmooth

利lìfavorable

顺 and 利 both suggest smoothness, together meaning going without obstacles.

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 順; 顺 is its simplified writing.

川頁順

Meaning part形符xíngfú

頁頁yè

Sound part声符shēngfú

川

川chuān順shùn

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

The traditional form 順 pairs 川 (river), which gives the sound, with 頁 (head); the picture is a head in a river, following the current. The simplified 顺 is a shorthand.

Open 顺 →

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