# 一帆风顺

yī fān fēng shùn

Proceed smoothly without obstacles

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A favorable wind fills the sail throughout

**Traditional Chinese:** 一帆風順

**Register:** Positive · general

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

## When to use it

Wish someone success or describe an easy process.

A blessing or general assessment, not a guarantee.

## Understanding the expression

A sailboat travels easily when the wind supports its direction. The expression turns that favorable journey into a wish for success or a description of smooth progress. It appears in farewells, congratulations, and accounts of work that meets few obstacles. The image does not imply that preparation is unnecessary. A smooth result may rest on substantial planning, and a sincere blessing does not promise that the person will never face difficulties.

## Examples

祝你新工作一帆风顺。

### Traditional Chinese

祝你新工作一帆風順。

zhù nǐ xīn gōng zuò yī fān fēng shùn 。

May your new job go smoothly.

手续办得一帆风顺。

### Traditional Chinese

手續辦得一帆風順。

shǒu xù bàn dé yī fān fēng shùn 。

The paperwork went smoothly.

创业不可能总是一帆风顺。

### Traditional Chinese

創業不可能總是一帆風順。

chuàng yè bù kě néng zǒng shì yī fān fēng shùn 。

Starting a business cannot always be smooth.

大家配合得好，演出一帆风顺。

### Traditional Chinese

大家配合得好，演出一帆風順。

dà jiā pèi hé dé hǎo ， yǎn chū yī fān fēng shùn 。

Good cooperation made the performance run smoothly.

## 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=%E4%B8%80%E5%B8%86%E9%A2%A8%E9%A0%86)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=572&webMd=1&la=0)

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