Chinese word

来日方长

Pronunciation

Pinyinlái rì fāng cháng

Meaning

  • idiomthere is still plenty of time

Example

不用着急，来日方长。bú yòng zháo jí lái rì fāng cháng

There is no need to hurry; there is still plenty of time.

Illustration for 来日方长 (there is still plenty of time)

More examples

刚开始学汉语，别怕犯错，来日方长。gāng kāi shǐ xué hàn yǔ bié pà fàn cuò lái rì fāng cháng

You have just started learning Chinese, so don't be afraid of making mistakes; there is still plenty of time.

Core concept

An unfinished road into the future leaves room for patience and later action.

Similar words

从容不迫cóng róng bú pò: Having enough inner calm to act steadily without feeling pressured.
不慌不忙bù huāng bù máng: Staying calm and unhurried instead of becoming flustered.
事缓则圆shì huǎn zé yuán: Taking more time with a matter helps it turn out well.

Definition in Chinese

用于劝慰或安抚，表示今后还有较长的时间，事情不必急于一时。yòng yú quàn wèi huò ān fǔ biǎo shì jīn hòu hái yǒu jiào cháng de shí jiān shì qíng bú bì jí yú yì shí

Word origin

来日方长 (lái rì fāng cháng, "the future is long") joins 来日 (lái rì, "days to come") with 方长 (fāng cháng, "stretching far ahead") to picture time as extending beyond the present moment.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear this chengyu as a neutral time estimate, but in Chinese it commonly serves as gentle comfort in a conversation about waiting or setbacks.

Other meanings

  • the future is longidiom

Word lists with this word