Chinese characters and pinyin
Simplified: 有志者事竟成
Traditional: 有志者事竟成
Pinyin: yǒu zhì zhě shì jìng chéng
Literal translation
For one who has resolve, the undertaking will ultimately succeed.
Natural English meaning
Strong determination makes a difficult goal achievable.
Closest English equivalent
Where there is a will, there is a way.
These are close equivalents, though neither guarantees success without action.
When to use it
Use it to encourage commitment to a demanding goal.
When not to use it
Avoid presenting it as a literal rule; the force of the saying depends on context and tone.
Example sentence
创业很难，但有志者事竟成。
Starting a business is difficult, but determination can find a way forward.
Origin and cultural context
Associated with a statement by the Eastern Han emperor Liu Xiu and long used as an encouragement to persevere.
Classification: classical quotation. This label distinguishes a complete proverb or popular saying from a compact idiom or a quotation preserved from a classical text.
