满载而归

滿載而歸

mǎnzài'érguī

idiom #47,492

Meanings

1 to return loaded with gains
2 to come back with a bumper harvest
3 to return laden with success

Characters

Examples

代表团访问结束后满载而归。

Dàibiǎotuán fǎngwèn jiéshù hòu mǎn zài ér guī.

The delegation returned from the visit with plenty to show for it.

这次出差让我满载而归。

Zhè cì chūchāi ràng wǒ mǎn zài ér guī.

This business trip left me coming home with a lot accomplished.

渔船傍晚满载而归。

Yúchuán bàngwǎn mǎn zài ér guī.

The fishing boats came back in the evening loaded to the brim.

Tips

history

Attested in Li Zhi's Ming-dynasty 《焚书·又焦弱侯》: a Magistrate Lin served three terms at Runing, and '往必满载而归' — 'each visit, he came back with the carts full'. Originally (and here) a sharp jab at corrupt officials; the modern sense is neutral or positive.

memory

载 here means 'to load (onto a vehicle)'. 满载 = 'fully loaded', 而归 = 'and return'. Picture a cart piled so high the axle groans, heading home.

Stroke Order

满 mǎn

载 zǎi

而 ér

归 guī