# 后起之秀

hòu qǐ zhī xiù

An outstanding emerging talent

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** An excellent one who rises later

**Traditional Chinese:** 後起之秀

**Register:** Appreciative · expressive

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Praise a promising newcomer or younger achiever.

Relative newcomer, not necessarily a child.

## Understanding the expression

The expression draws attention to someone who enters a field after established figures but quickly shows distinction. It can describe a young athlete, an emerging writer, or a newer organization with impressive results. The praise combines promise with demonstrated ability. Newness alone is not enough, and the person need not replace older experts. A field may benefit from several generations contributing different strengths while new talent earns its own place.

## Examples

她是棋坛的后起之秀。

### Traditional Chinese

她是棋壇的後起之秀。

tā shì qí tán de hòu qǐ zhī xiù 。

She is an outstanding emerging talent in chess.

这位后起之秀凭新作获奖。

### Traditional Chinese

這位後起之秀憑新作獲獎。

zhè wèi hòu qǐ zhī xiù píng xīn zuò huò jiǎng 。

This promising newcomer won an award for a new work.

团队里有几位后起之秀。

### Traditional Chinese

團隊裡有幾位後起之秀。

tuán duì lǐ yǒu jǐ wèi hòu qǐ zhī xiù 。

The team includes several impressive rising talents.

老演员乐于帮助后起之秀。

### Traditional Chinese

老演員樂於幫助後起之秀。

lǎo yǎn yuán lè yú bāng zhù hòu qǐ zhī xiù 。

The veteran actor gladly helps promising newcomers.

## 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=%E5%BE%8C%E8%B5%B7%E4%B9%8B%E7%A7%80)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=876&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [后生可畏 hòu shēng kě wèi Young people may achieve formidable things ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/hou-sheng-ke-wei)

- [囫囵吞枣 hú lún tūn zǎo Take in information without properly understanding it ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/hu-lun-tun-zao)

- [虎头蛇尾 hǔ tóu shé wěi Start strongly but finish weakly ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/hu-tou-she-wei)

- [画龙点睛 huà lóng diǎn jīng Add the crucial finishing touch ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/hua-long-dian-jing)

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