móu shì zài rén, chéng shì zài tiān: 谋事在人，成事在天 - Man Proposes, Heaven Disposes

• Keywords: mou shi zai ren cheng shi zai tian, 谋事在人成事在天, man proposes god disposes Chinese, Chinese proverb about fate, Chinese idiom about effort and destiny, do your best and let God do the rest Chinese, planning vs fate Chinese idiom, Zhuge Liang proverb.
• Summary: The Chinese idiom 谋事在人，成事在天 (móu shì zài rén, chéng shì zài tiān) is a profound philosophical statement meaning “Planning is in man's hands, the outcome is in Heaven's.” It captures the essential balance between human effort and the forces beyond our control. This proverb isn't an excuse for inaction; rather, it encourages one to try their absolute best in any endeavor, while also cultivating the wisdom and resilience to accept the final result, whether it is success or failure. It's a cornerstone of Chinese thought on ambition, fate, and acceptance.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): móu shì zài rén, chéng shì zài tiān
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (成语) / Proverb
• HSK Level: N/A (Advanced)
• Concise Definition: A person is responsible for the planning, but Heaven is responsible for the success.
• In a Nutshell: This idiom is split into two perfectly balanced parts. The first half, `谋事在人 (móu shì zài rén)`, emphasizes human agency—it is our duty and responsibility to plan, to strive, and to put in 100% of our effort. The second half, `成事在天 (chéng shì zài tiān)`, acknowledges that despite our best efforts, the ultimate outcome is determined by larger forces, which can be interpreted as fate, destiny, the will of Heaven, or simply uncontrollable external factors. It is a philosophy of doing your utmost and then letting go of the result.

• 谋 (móu): To plan, scheme, or plot.
• 事 (shì): A matter, an affair, a thing, an event.
• 在 (zài): To be at, in; in this context, it means “rests with” or “depends on.”
• 人 (rén): Person, man, people.
• 成 (chéng): To accomplish, succeed, or complete.
• 天 (tiān): Sky, Heaven; here it refers to a higher power, fate, destiny, or the natural order of the universe.

The phrase is a parallel structure. `谋事 (móu shì)` “planning a matter” is the responsibility of `在人 (zài rén)` “in people.” Similarly, `成事 (chéng shì)` “accomplishing a matter” is the responsibility of `在天 (zài tiān)` “in Heaven.”

This idiom is famously attributed to the brilliant strategist Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮) in the classic 14th-century novel *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* (三国演义). After a meticulously planned fire attack on his enemy Sima Yi fails due to a sudden, unexpected rainstorm, a frustrated Zhuge Liang exclaims, “谋事在人，成事在天,” lamenting that even his perfect plan was thwarted by fate. This phrase beautifully balances two core pillars of Chinese philosophy: the Confucian emphasis on diligent effort and moral striving, and the Daoist acceptance of the natural flow of the universe (the Dao). It's not about being fatalistic but about recognizing the limits of human power. Comparison to Western Concepts: The closest English equivalent is “Man proposes, God disposes.” While the sentiment is very similar, the concept of 天 (tiān) is culturally distinct from the Western, Abrahamic “God.” 天 (tiān) is a more impersonal, cosmic force—less a conscious, judging deity and more the natural order, destiny, or the universe itself. The Chinese phrase therefore carries a slightly less religious and more philosophical or naturalistic tone. It's about your effort versus the universe, not your will versus God's will.

This chengyu is used in situations involving significant effort and an uncertain outcome. It functions as a form of self-consolation, a way to comfort others, or a philosophical statement to manage expectations.

• Consolation after Failure: It's often said to comfort someone (or oneself) who tried their best but did not succeed. For example, after failing an important exam or losing a hard-fought competition. It reframes the failure not as a personal shortcoming, but as a turn of fate, making it easier to accept.
• Managing Expectations: Before a major event, like launching a business or undergoing a serious medical operation, someone might say this to express, “We've done everything we can, and now we can only wait and see what happens.”
• Formality: As a classical idiom, it is relatively formal. It would sound overly dramatic if used for trivial matters like missing a bus. It is reserved for life's more significant challenges and turning points.

• Example 1:
  • 我们已经为这次的竞标做了万全的准备，接下来就看结果了，真是谋事在人，成事在天啊。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen yǐjīng wèi zhè cì de jìngbiāo zuòle wànquán de zhǔnbèi, jiē xiàlái jiù kàn jiéguǒ le, zhēnshi móu shì zài rén, chéng shì zài tiān a.
  • English: We've made comprehensive preparations for this bid, now we just have to see the result. Truly, man proposes, Heaven disposes.
  • Analysis: Used in a business context. The speaker is expressing that their team has done everything possible, and now the outcome is out of their hands. It shows a mixture of hope and resignation.
• Example 2:
  • 别太难过了，你为了考研已经拼尽全力了。谋事在人，成事在天，不留遗憾就好。
  • Pinyin: Bié tài nánguò le, nǐ wèile kǎoyán yǐjīng pīn jìn quánlì le. Móu shì zài rén, chéng shì zài tiān, bù liú yíhàn jiù hǎo.
  • English: Don't be too sad. You already gave your all for the graduate school entrance exam. Planning is up to man, success is up to Heaven; as long as you have no regrets, that's what matters.
  • Analysis: A classic example of using the idiom to console someone who has failed despite great effort. It shifts the focus from the negative outcome to the positive value of the effort itself.
• Example 3:
  • 医生说手术的风险很高，我们只能相信他。家人能做的都做了，谋事在人，成事在天。
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō shǒushù de fēngxiǎn hěn gāo, wǒmen zhǐnéng xiāngxìn tā. Jiārén néng zuò de dōu zuò le, móu shì zài rén, chéng shì zài tiān.
  • English: The doctor said the surgery is very risky; we can only trust him. Our family has done everything we can do. We've done our part, the rest is up to fate.
  • Analysis: Used in a serious, high-stakes situation regarding health. It conveys a sense of gravity and acceptance in the face of uncontrollable circumstances.
• Example 4:
  • 这位老农民看着天说：“今年的收成就看老天爷了，我们是谋事在人，成事在天。”
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi lǎo nóngmín kànzhe tiān shuō: “Jīnnián de shōuchéng jiù kàn lǎotiānyé le, wǒmen shì móu shì zài rén, chéng shì zài tiān.”
  • English: This old farmer looked at the sky and said, “This year's harvest depends on the heavens. We believe that planning is in our hands, but the result is in Heaven's.”
  • Analysis: This example shows the literal connection to “天” (sky/heaven). For a farmer, the weather is the ultimate uncontrollable factor that determines success.
• Example 5:
  • 虽然我们分手了，但我并不后悔爱过你。毕竟谋事在人，成事在天，有些事是强求不来的。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán wǒmen fēnshǒu le, dàn wǒ bìng bù hòuhuǐ àiguò nǐ. Bìjìng móu shì zài rén, chéng shì zài tiān, yǒuxiē shì shì qiǎngqiú bù lái de.
  • English: Although we broke up, I don't regret loving you. After all, you do what you can, but the outcome is up to fate, and some things just can't be forced.
  • Analysis: Here, the idiom is applied to a relationship, framing the breakup not as a failure but as a matter of destiny or incompatibility beyond the couple's control.
• Example 6:
  • 教练在决赛前对队员们说：“战术已经布置好了，剩下的就靠你们的发挥和一点运气了。谋事在人，成事在天！”
  • Pinyin: Jiàoliàn zài juésài qián duì duìyuánmen shuō: “Zhànshù yǐjīng bùzhì hǎo le, shèng xià de jiù kào nǐmen de fāhuī hé yīdiǎn yùnqì le. Móu shì zài rén, chéng shì zài tiān!”
  • English: Before the final match, the coach said to the players: “The strategy is set. The rest depends on your performance and a bit of luck. We plan the strategy, but victory is in the hands of fate!”
  • Analysis: Used as a motivational speech to acknowledge that while preparation is key, an element of luck or chance is always present in sports.
• Example 7:
  • 我已经把我的商业计划书发给了所有可能的投资者，现在只能等待了。谋事在人，成事在天嘛。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yǐjīng bǎ wǒ de shāngyè jìhuà shū fā gěile suǒyǒu kěnéng de tóuzī zhě, xiànzài zhǐ néng děngdài le. Móu shì zài rén, chéng shì zài tiān ma.
  • English: I've sent my business plan to all potential investors, now I can only wait. You do what you can, and leave the rest to fate, right?
  • Analysis: A common sentiment for entrepreneurs. It expresses that the hard work of creating the plan is done, and now success depends on external market forces and the decisions of others.
• Example 8:
  • 他为了挽救公司付出了所有心血，但最终还是失败了。这就是所谓的谋事在人，成事在天吧。
  • Pinyin: Tā wèile wǎnjiù gōngsī fùchūle suǒyǒu xīnxuè, dàn zuìzhōng háishì shībài le. Zhè jiùshì suǒwèi de móu shì zài rén, chéng shì zài tiān ba.
  • English: He poured all his heart and soul into saving the company, but in the end, it still failed. I guess this is what they call “man proposes, Heaven disposes.”
  • Analysis: Used reflectively to describe someone else's situation, highlighting the tragic element of great effort not leading to success.
• Example 9:
  • 这次科学实验的准备工作非常充分，但能否有突破性的发现，还是谋事在人，成事在天。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì kēxué shíyàn de zhǔnbèi gōngzuò fēicháng chōngfèn, dàn néng fǒu yǒu túpò xìng de fāxiàn, háishì móu shì zài rén, chéng shì zài tiān.
  • English: The preparation for this scientific experiment has been extremely thorough, but whether we can make a breakthrough discovery is still a case of planning by man, success by Heaven.
  • Analysis: Shows the idiom's applicability to intellectual or scientific pursuits, where inspiration and unforeseen variables play a large role.
• Example 10:
  • 你想写一部伟大的小说，那就好好去写。至于它会不会受欢迎，那是谋事在人，成事在天。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xiǎng xiě yī bù wěidà de xiǎoshuō, nà jiù hǎohǎo qù xiě. Zhìyú tā huì bù huì shòu huānyíng, nà shì móu shì zài rén, chéng shì zài tiān.
  • English: If you want to write a great novel, then just focus on writing it well. As for whether it will be popular, that's a matter of doing your part and letting fate handle the rest.
  • Analysis: This is advice given to an artist or creator, encouraging them to focus on the quality of their work (the part they can control) rather than obsessing over the public reception (the part they can't).

• Mistake 1: Interpreting it as passive fatalism. The most common misunderstanding for a learner is to see this phrase as an excuse for not trying. This is incorrect. The idiom's spirit is fundamentally proactive. The `谋事在人` part is a prerequisite; you only get to say `成事在天` *after* you have exhausted all possible effort. It's about diligence first, acceptance second.
• Mistake 2: Using it for trivial matters. Saying “I tried to get a good seat at the cinema but they were all taken, oh well, 谋事在人，成事在天” would sound absurd and overly dramatic. The phrase is reserved for matters of genuine weight and significance.
• Nuance: Not strictly religious. While “Heaven” is in the translation, avoid mapping it directly onto Western religious concepts. For many modern Chinese speakers, “天” is a secular stand-in for “fate,” “luck,” “chance,” or “circumstances beyond my control.”

• 尽人事听天命 (jìn rénshì tīng tiānmìng) - “To do one's utmost and leave the rest to Heaven's mandate.” A very close synonym and perhaps even more commonly used in everyday speech to express the same idea.
• 人定胜天 (rén dìng shèng tiān) - “Man can conquer Heaven/nature.” This is a powerful antonym. It represents a philosophy of unbound human willpower and was a popular slogan in 20th-century China, emphasizing that human effort can overcome any natural obstacle. The contrast between these two idioms reveals a deep tension in Chinese thought.
• 事在人为 (shì zài rén wéi) - “Success depends on human effort.” This is like the first half of our main idiom, but presented as the complete picture. It's an optimistic phrase that champions human agency, omitting the role of fate entirely.
• 顺其自然 (shùn qí zìrán) - “To let nature take its course.” This phrase is more focused on the acceptance part. It has a stronger Daoist flavor and implies a more passive approach of non-resistance, whereas `谋事在人` demands active effort first.
• 天意 (tiānyì) - “The will of Heaven; destiny.” This is the core concept behind the `天` in `成事在天`.
• 命运 (mìngyùn) - “Fate; destiny.” A more general and common term for the predetermined course of events in one's life.