来日方长 lái rì fāng cháng The future is long

Explanation

指未来的日子还长，表示事情有希望，将来还有机会。

It means that there is still hope and opportunity in the future.

Origin Story

年轻的书生李白怀揣着满腹经纶，来到长安寻求仕途发展。然而，接连几次考试都名落孙山，让他灰心丧气。一位老学究见状，语重心长地对他说：“大丈夫志在四方，不必为一时之成败而气馁。来日方长，你的才华终将得到赏识！”李白听了老学究的话，心头的阴霾逐渐散去，他决定继续努力，磨练自己的才学，等待时机。数年之后，李白凭借着过人的才华和不懈的努力，终于得到唐玄宗的赏识，被召入宫，开始了他的辉煌仕途。

niánqīng de shūshēng lǐ bái huáicuái zhe mǎnfù jīnglún, lái dào cháng'ān xúnqiú shìtú fāzhǎn. rán'ér, jiēlián jǐ cì kǎoshì dōu míngluò sūnshān, ràng tā huīxīn sàngqì. yī wèi lǎoxuéjiū jiànzhàng, yǔzhòngxīncháng de duì tā shuō: "dà zhàngfū zhì zài sìfāng, bùbì wèi yīshí zhī chéngbài ér qìněi. láirì fāngcháng, nǐ de cáihua zhōng jiāng dédào shǎngshí!" lǐ bái tīng le lǎoxuéjiū de huà, xīntóu de yīnmái zhújiàn sàn qù, tā juédìng jìxù nǔlì, mòliàn zìjǐ de cáixiùe, děngdài shíjī. shǔnián zhī hòu, lǐ bái píngjiè zhe guòrén de cáihua hé bùxiè de nǔlì, zhōngyú dédào táng xuánzōng de shǎngshí, bèi zhào rù gōng, kāishǐ le tā de huīhuáng shìtú.

A young scholar, Li Bai, traveled to Chang'an, hoping to build a career. However, after several failed exams, he felt discouraged. An elderly scholar said, "A man of your abilities should not be disheartened by temporary setbacks. The future is long; your talent will surely be recognized!" Li Bai, encouraged, continued to study and wait for his opportunity. Years later, Li Bai’s talent and perseverance brought him to the attention of Emperor Xuanzong, and he began his illustrious career.

Usage

表示对未来充满希望，事情有转机。常用于安慰或鼓励他人。

biǎoshì duì wèilái chōngmǎn xīwàng, shìqíng yǒu zhuǎnjī. cháng yòng yú ānwèi huò gǔlì他人.

Expresses hope for the future and a turning point. Often used to comfort or encourage others.

Examples

• 不必着急，来日方长，以后还有机会。

  bubi zhāojí, láirì fāngcháng, yǐhòu hái yǒu jīhuì.

  Don't worry, there's plenty of time.

• 年轻人，别灰心，来日方长，你的前途光明。

  niánqīngrén, bié huīxīn, láirì fāngcháng, nǐ de qiántú guāngmíng

  Young man, don't lose heart, the future is bright.

Related Idioms

• 前途无量

• 大有可为

Opposite Idioms

• 日暮途穷

• 时不我待