# 康庄大道

kāng zhuāng dà dào

A broad and promising path forward

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A broad, level main road

**Traditional Chinese:** 康莊大道

**Register:** Formal · literary

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

## When to use it

Describe a sound route toward a hopeful future.

Optimistic; success still requires effort.

## Understanding the expression

A wide and level road offers a traveler room, visibility, and fewer obstacles. Figuratively, the expression presents a promising course toward development or success. It often appears in encouraging descriptions of education, reform, or a new opportunity. The image does not make the journey effortless. A good route still requires movement and judgment. Naming the actual opportunity makes the optimism useful, rather than treating a grand expression as proof that progress is assured.

## Examples

教育为她打开了康庄大道。

### Traditional Chinese

教育為她打開了康莊大道。

jiào yù wèi tā dǎ kāi le kāng zhuāng dà dào 。

Education opened a broad and promising path for her.

合作让小厂走上康庄大道。

### Traditional Chinese

合作讓小廠走上康莊大道。

hé zuò ràng xiǎo chǎng zǒu shàng kāng zhuāng dà dào 。

Cooperation put the small factory on a promising path.

这条康庄大道仍需踏实走下去。

### Traditional Chinese

這條康莊大道仍需踏實走下去。

zhè tiáo kāng zhuāng dà dào réng xū tà shí zǒu xià qù 。

This promising path still requires steady effort.

新技术为研究铺出康庄大道。

### Traditional Chinese

新技術為研究鋪出康莊大道。

xīn jì shù wèi yán jiū pù chū kāng zhuāng dà dào 。

The new technology created a broad path forward for research.

## 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%BA%B7%E8%8E%8A%E5%A4%A7%E9%81%93)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1047&webMd=1&la=0)

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