# 胸有成竹

xiōng yǒu chéng zhú

Have a clear, well-prepared plan

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Have a complete bamboo image in one's chest

**Register:** Positive · conversational

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Use when someone understands the task and has already worked out how to approach it.

Confidence alone is insufficient; the expression implies preparation or a sound plan.

## Understanding the expression

The complete bamboo image suggests an overall form understood before individual strokes begin. In modern use, the idiom praises having a coherent plan rather than improvising blindly. It suits a person whose calm confidence comes from preparation. The contrast is not with creativity, but with uncertainty about how the parts will fit together. Being prepared still allows adjustment when new circumstances arise.

## Examples

演讲前她已经反复练习，因此胸有成竹。

### Traditional Chinese

演講前她已經反覆練習，因此胸有成竹。

yǎn jiǎng qián tā yǐ jīng fǎn fù liàn xí ， yīn cǐ xiōng yǒu chéng zhú 。

She had rehearsed the speech repeatedly and felt thoroughly prepared.

面对客户的问题，他胸有成竹地说明了方案。

### Traditional Chinese

面對客戶的問題，他胸有成竹地說明了方案。

miàn duì kè hù de wèn tí ， tā xiōng yǒu chéng zhú dì shuō míng le fāng àn 。

He explained the plan confidently because he had worked it out in advance.

只有了解预算和时间安排，才能胸有成竹地开始装修。

### Traditional Chinese

只有瞭解預算和時間安排，才能胸有成竹地開始裝修。

zhǐ yǒu liǎo jiě yù suàn hé shí jiān ān pái ， cái néng xiōng yǒu chéng zhú dì kāi shǐ zhuāng xiū 。

Understanding the budget and schedule lets us begin the renovation with a clear plan.

别看她话不多，其实对下一步早已胸有成竹。

### Traditional Chinese

別看她話不多，其實對下一步早已胸有成竹。

bié kàn tā huà bù duō ， qí shí duì xià yí bù zǎo yǐ xiōng yǒu chéng zhú 。

She may be quiet, but she has already worked out the next step.

## 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=%E8%83%B8%E6%9C%89%E6%88%90%E7%AB%B9)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=9&webMd=1&la=0)

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