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.

他到了四十岁还是一事无成。

Tā dào le sìshí suì háishi yīshìwúchéng.

He reached forty and still hadn't accomplished anything.

如果不努力，就会一事无成。

Rúguǒ bù nǔlì, jiù huì yīshìwúchéng.

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