建功立业

建功立業

jiàngōng-lìyè

idiom #55,668

Meanings

1 to achieve merit and establish great deeds
2 to make one's mark; to accomplish great things
3 to build a career and legacy

Characters

to build; to establish

merit; achievement

to set up; to establish

undertaking; enterprise

Examples

HSK 3

这是一个建功立业的好时代。

Zhè shì yí gè jiàngōng-lìyè de hǎo shídài.

This is a great era for making one's mark.

HSK 6

他在军队里建功立业。

Tā zài jūnduì lǐ jiàngōng-lìyè.

He made his name and distinguished himself in the army.

HSK 7-9

年轻人要有建功立业的志向。

Niánqīngrén yào yǒu jiàngōng-lìyè de zhìxiàng.

Young people should have the ambition to make their mark.

Tips

history

Traced to Su Shi's 《上两制书》 (Song): 古之圣贤建功立业，兴利捍患 - ancient sages built merit, established deeds, brought benefit, and defended against harm. Casts the ideal public figure.

register

Elevated, often patriotic or ambitious in tone. Fits speeches about youth aspiration, military service, pioneering careers. Less suited to small-scale personal goals.

Stroke Order

建 jiàn

功 gōng

立 lì

业 yè