有所作为

有所作為

yǒusuǒ-zuòwéi

idiom #17,182

Meanings

1 to achieve something worthwhile
2 to make a positive contribution
3 to accomplish something

Characters

that which (literary particle)

Literally 'to have that which one has done' — i.e., to have real accomplishments.

Examples

年轻人应该努力有所作为。

Niánqīngrén yīnggāi nǔlì yǒusuǒzuòwéi.

Young people should strive to achieve something worthwhile.

他在这个领域有所作为。

Tā zài zhège lǐngyù yǒusuǒzuòwéi.

He has made accomplishments in this field.

Tips

grammar

有所 is a classical pattern meaning 'to have some (degree of)...' and appears in many idioms: 有所不同 (somewhat different), 有所改善 (somewhat improved), 有所作为 (to have achievements).

Stroke Order

有 yǒu

所 suǒ

作 zuò

为 wéi