# 如火如荼

rú huǒ rú tú

Proceed with great vigor

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Like fire and white reed flowers

**Register:** Descriptive · formal

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

## When to use it

Describe lively activity on a large scale.

Intensity does not imply lasting success.

## Understanding the expression

Fire suggests energy and movement, while the masses of flowers suggest a striking scene spread over a wide area. Together they convey an activity in full, vigorous swing. The phrase often describes preparations, campaigns, construction, or public participation. It emphasizes how lively and extensive the process is at the moment; it does not by itself tell us whether the work is careful, useful, or successful.

## Examples

新馆的建设正如火如荼地进行。

### Traditional Chinese

新館的建設正如火如荼地進行。

xīn guǎn de jiàn shè zhèng rú huǒ rú tú dì jìn xíng 。

Construction of the new hall is in full swing.

校园里的义卖活动如火如荼。

### Traditional Chinese

校園裡的義賣活動如火如荼。

xiào yuán lǐ de yì mài huó dòng rú huǒ rú tú 。

The charity sale on campus is bustling.

各队如火如荼地准备决赛。

### Traditional Chinese

各隊如火如荼地準備決賽。

gè duì rú huǒ rú tú dì zhǔn bèi jué sài 。

All teams are preparing vigorously for the final.

社区的植树活动开展得如火如荼。

### Traditional Chinese

社區的植樹活動開展得如火如荼。

shè qū de zhí shù huó dòng kāi zhǎn dé rú huǒ rú tú 。

The community tree planting campaign is in full swing.

## 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%A6%82%E7%81%AB%E5%A6%82%E8%8D%BC)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=35&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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- [生龙活虎 shēng lóng huó hǔ Be full of vigor and energy ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/sheng-long-huo-hu)

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