xiōng yǒu chéng zhú: 胸有成竹 - To have a well-thought-out plan; Confident and prepared

Keywords: xiongyouchengzhu, 胸有成竹, Chinese idiom, chengyu, meaning of xiongyouchengzhu, how to use xiongyouchengzhu, confident, prepared, have a plan, Chinese culture, Song Dynasty story, Wen Tong bamboo painting

Summary: Discover the meaning of the Chinese idiom (chengyu) 胸有成竹 (xiōng yǒu chéng zhú), which literally translates to “a completed bamboo in the chest.” This page explains how it describes a state of profound confidence that comes from thorough preparation and having a clear plan in mind before starting a task. Learn its cultural origins from a famous Song Dynasty painter, how to use it in modern conversation and business, and see practical examples to master this essential term for expressing preparedness in Chinese.

Pinyin (with tone marks): xiōng yǒu chéng zhú

Part of Speech: Chengyu (成语) / Idiom; often functions as an adjective or adverb.

HSK Level: Advanced / HSK 7-9

Concise Definition: To have a complete and well-thought-out plan in one's mind before taking action, thus feeling confident about the outcome.

In a Nutshell: Imagine you're an artist about to paint a bamboo stalk. Instead of just starting, you have already visualized the entire, perfect painting in your mind's eye. You know every leaf, every segment of the stalk. This is the feeling of 胸有成竹. It’s not just “having a plan”; it's a deep, internalized confidence born from complete preparation and a clear mental picture of success.

胸 (xiōng): Chest; bosom. In classical Chinese, it's also a metaphor for the heart or mind, the seat of one's thoughts and feelings.

有 (yǒu): To have; to possess; there is.

成 (chéng): Completed; formed; finished; accomplished.

竹 (zhú): Bamboo.

The characters literally combine to mean “in the chest, there is a completed bamboo.” This vivid metaphor means that the plan or a vision of the final result is already fully formed in one's mind before the work has even begun.

The idiom originates from a story about the famous Song Dynasty painter, Wen Tong (文同). He was so renowned for his lifelike paintings of bamboo that people flocked to request his art. His secret was that he spent years observing bamboo in all seasons and weather conditions. He understood its structure, growth, and spirit so deeply that before he even picked up his brush, he had a perfect image of the finished painting fully formed in his mind (his “chest”). He was simply “transferring” the bamboo from his chest onto the paper.

Cultural Value: This story highlights the Chinese cultural values of meticulous preparation (准备 - zhǔnbèi), mastery through practice (熟能生巧 - shú néng shēng qiǎo), and the philosophical connection between internal clarity and external success. It suggests that true confidence isn't arrogance, but a quiet assurance that comes from doing the hard work beforehand.

Western Comparison: This concept is much deeper than the Western phrase “to have a game plan.” A game plan can be a document you refer to. 胸有成竹 implies the plan is so internalized it has become part of you. It's the opposite of “winging it” or “playing it by ear,” which often imply improvisation. 胸有成竹 is confidence rooted in the *elimination* of the need for improvisation.

胸有成竹 is a common and highly positive idiom used to praise someone's preparedness or to express one's own confidence.

In Business: When a colleague is about to give a major presentation, you might say, “看他那么自信，肯定是胸有成竹了” (Kàn tā nàme zìxìn, kěndìng shì xiōng yǒu chéng zhú le) - “Look how confident he is; he must be fully prepared.”

In Academics: A student who has studied diligently for a final exam can be described as 胸有成竹 about getting a good grade.

In Conversation: It's used to describe anyone who approaches a complex task (like cooking a feast, leading a project, or navigating a difficult negotiation) with a calm, assured demeanor that signals they've already thought through all the steps. It is generally formal but can be used among friends in a complimentary way.

Not Just a “Plan”: While it involves a plan, the feeling is deeper. “I have a plan” (我有一个计划 - wǒ yǒu yí ge jìhuà) is a simple statement of fact. 胸有成竹 describes the mental and emotional state of clarity and assurance that comes from that plan. It's about the mastery *of* the plan.

心中有数 (xīn zhōng yǒu shù): A very close synonym. “To have numbers in one's heart/mind.” It means to be well-aware of a situation, to have a good grasp of the facts. It's slightly less focused on a pre-planned creative or procedural outcome than 胸有成竹.

稳操胜券 (wěn cāo shèng quàn): “To hold the winning ticket securely.” A synonym that strongly emphasizes the certainty of victory, often used in competitive situations like sports or business takeovers.

得心应手 (dé xīn yìng shǒu): “What the heart wishes, the hand achieves.” Describes the state of performing a task with masterful ease and fluency. This is often the *result* of being 胸有成竹 beforehand.

成竹在胸 (chéng zhú zài xiōng): A common structural variant of the idiom, with exactly the same meaning.

运筹帷幄 (yùn chóu wéi wò): “To strategize within a command tent.” Refers to high-level strategic planning, often for military, political, or large-scale business campaigns. It's more about the planning process, while 胸有成竹 is about the resulting state of confidence.

临时抱佛脚 (lín shí bào fó jiǎo): An antonymous concept. “To clasp the Buddha's feet only at the last moment.” It means to cram or make a desperate, last-minute effort when it's too late. It is the polar opposite of the preparation implied by 胸有成竹.

一无所知 (yī wú suǒ zhī): A direct antonym. “To know nothing at all.” Describes a state of complete ignorance about a situation.