Chinese word

马到成功

Pronunciation

Pinyinmǎ dào chéng gōng

Meaning

idiomsucceed right away

Example

祝你马到成功，事业顺利。zhù nǐ mǎ dào chéng gōng shì yè shùn lì

May you succeed right away, and may your career go smoothly.

Illustration for 马到成功 (succeed right away)

More examples

希望你在新岗位上马到成功。xī wàng nǐ zài xīn gǎng wèi shàng mǎ dào chéng gōng

I hope you succeed right away in your new position.

Core concept

A fast-moving effort reaches its destination and immediately turns into success.

Common phrases

愿你马到成功yuàn nǐ mǎ dào chéng gōng
may you succeed right away
祝愿你马到成功zhù yuàn nǐ mǎ dào chéng gōng
May you succeed right away

Similar words

旗开得胜qí kāi dé shèng: Gain victory or success as soon as an activity begins.
一帆风顺yì fān fēng shùn: Progress smoothly with few or no problems or obstacles.
立竿见影lì gān jiàn yǐng: Produce an effect that appears immediately after an action or treatment.
一举成功yì jǔ chéng gōng: Reach a successful result through one action or attempt.

Definition in Chinese

用来形容事情很快获得成功，常作为对他人的祝贺或鼓舞之词。yòng lái xíng róng shì qíng hěn kuài huò dé chéng gōng cháng zuò wéi duì tā rén de zhù hè huò gú wǔ zhī cí

Word origin

马到成功 (mǎdàochénggōng, "succeed right away") uses 马 (mǎ, "horse") and 到 (dào, "arrive") for a quick arrival, then 成 (chéng, "achieve") + 功 (gōng, "achievement") for the success that follows.

Usage tips

In everyday Chinese, it is a fixed expression of good wishes before an exam, a new business, or another important undertaking, but repeated casual use can sound formal.