他胸有成竹，一点也不紧张。
He was fully prepared and not nervous at all.
Daily Chengyu
胸有成竹
To have a well-thought-out plan before acting.
Literal Meaning: In the chest, there is a formed bamboo.
胸chest
有have
成formed
竹bamboo
Today's Situation
You walk into the presentation already knowing every slide and transition.
Perfect Chengyu: 胸有成竹
Actual Meaning
Describes calm confidence from thorough preparation — the plan is already clear in your mind before you begin.
Emotional toneConfident, composed
Usage feelNeutral in tone
FormalityNeutral
English Equivalent
- Have a plan.
- Know exactly what to do.
- Fully prepared.
English equivalents capture the general idea, but they may not fit every context exactly.
Modern Usage Example
She answered every question because she 胸有成竹 before the interview.
Chinese Example Sentences
做事要胸有成竹，不能盲目。
You should have a clear plan — don't act blindly.
Origin Story
Painter Wen Tong could paint bamboo effortlessly because he had visualized it so completely it was already formed in his mind.
When Natives Use It
Good fit
- Exams
- Presentations
- Sports
- Negotiations
Avoid
Very positive. Common praise for prepared professionals.
- Common in speech
- Common in writing
- Sounds natural today
- Possible but uncommon in casual chat
- More common in writing or commentary
- Use with care — can sound critical
Similar and Opposite Chengyu
Daily Quiz
Which best matches 胸有成竹?
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