# 飞黄腾达

fēi huáng téng dá

Rise rapidly to wealth or high position

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A magnificent steed soars upward

**Traditional Chinese:** 飛黃騰達

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Change & possibility](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/change)

## When to use it

Describe swift career advancement or prosperity.

Can sound admiring or opportunistic.

## Understanding the expression

Upward movement gives the expression a strong sense of rapid ascent. Modern usage usually describes a person gaining wealth, influence, or a high position in a short period. It may congratulate success or suggest that social climbing has become the person’s main ambition. Its focus is external advancement rather than moral character. Someone can gain status without becoming admirable, while worthwhile work may bring little public recognition or material reward.

## Examples

他几年间飞黄腾达。

### Traditional Chinese

他幾年間飛黃騰達。

tā jǐ nián jiān fēi huáng téng dá 。

He rose rapidly to wealth and position within a few years.

她飞黄腾达后仍帮助旧同事。

### Traditional Chinese

她飛黃騰達後仍幫助舊同事。

tā fēi huáng téng dá hòu réng bāng zhù jiù tóng shì 。

After achieving great success, she still helped former colleagues.

他只盼飞黄腾达，不愿扎实学习。

### Traditional Chinese

他只盼飛黃騰達，不願紮實學習。

tā zhī pàn fēi huáng téng dá ， bú yuàn zhā shi xué xí 。

He only hoped for rapid advancement and would not study diligently.

那次合作让她飞黄腾达。

### Traditional Chinese

那次合作讓她飛黃騰達。

nà cì hé zuò ràng tā fēi huáng téng dá 。

That collaboration brought her swift professional success.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%A3%9B%E9%BB%83%E9%A8%B0%E9%81%94)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=880&webMd=1&la=0)

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