# 衣锦还乡

yī jǐn huán xiāng

Return home after achieving success

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Return to the hometown wearing fine silk

**Traditional Chinese:** 衣錦還鄉

**Register:** Standard · expressive

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

## When to use it

Describe a successful return to one’s origins.

Often carries display or pride, not merely a visit.

## Understanding the expression

Fine silk makes achievement visible to the people who knew someone before success. The expression describes returning to a hometown with new wealth, standing, or recognized accomplishment. It can be proud, celebratory, or slightly critical of showing off. The return is more than a routine trip: the contrast between earlier circumstances and present achievement matters. Success need not be material, though the phrase retains an image of public recognition and changed status.

## Examples

她获奖后衣锦还乡。

### Traditional Chinese

她獲獎後衣錦還鄉。

tā huò jiǎng hòu yī jǐn huán xiāng 。

She returned home with honors after winning the award.

他创业成功，终于衣锦还乡。

### Traditional Chinese

他創業成功，終於衣錦還鄉。

tā chuàng yè chéng gōng ， zhōng yú yī jǐn huán xiāng 。

After succeeding in business, he finally returned home in triumph.

他不想炫耀，只想安静地衣锦还乡。

### Traditional Chinese

他不想炫耀，只想安靜地衣錦還鄉。

tā bù xiǎng xuàn yào ， zhī xiǎng ān jìng dì yī jǐn huán xiāng 。

He wanted to return home successful without making a show of it.

乡亲们欢迎这位衣锦还乡的运动员。

### Traditional Chinese

鄉親們歡迎這位衣錦還鄉的運動員。

xiāng qīn men huān yíng zhè wèi yī jǐn huán xiāng de yùn dòng yuán 。

The villagers welcomed the athlete returning home with honors.

## 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%A1%A3%E9%8C%A6%E9%82%84%E9%84%89)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1005&webMd=1&la=0)

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