一事无成

一事無成

yīshì-wúchéng

idiom HSK 7-9 #12,096

Meanings

Literally 'not a single thing accomplished' - total failure to achieve anything.

HSK 1

他到了四十岁还是一事无成。

Tā dào le sìshí suì háishi yīshì-wúchéng.

He reached forty and still hadn't accomplished anything.

HSK 2

如果不努力，就会一事无成。

Rúguǒ bù nǔlì, jiù huì yīshì-wúchéng.

If you don't work hard, you'll accomplish nothing.

usage

Often used in self-deprecation or as a warning. Carries a tone of regret or frustration about wasted time.

一 yī

事 shì

无 wú

成 chéng