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大有可为 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
大有可为dàyǒukěwéiwith great prospects for the future (idiom); well worth doingHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #34771, Very Hard
dàyǒukěwéi(da4you3ke3wei2)da you ke wei T4
  1. 1with great prospects for the future (idiom); well worth doing
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March 24, 2026

大有可为(大有可為)dàyǒukěwéi(da4you3ke3wei2)

The idiom 大有可为 (dà yǒu kě wéi) expresses the idea that something holds great potential and is worth pursuing. It is often used in contexts where one sees promising opportunities, whether in business, personal development, or projects, suggesting that the future is bright for a particular endeavor.

Strokes18Frequency#34771DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the idea of having 'great prospects' resonates with the importance placed on hard work and perseverance. This idiom reflects the optimistic view towards opportunities in life and business, aligning with the Confucian value of striving for success.

Memory tip

Imagine a big (大) golden door (有) that you can open (可) to a world of opportunities (为). The door represents the potential and prospects waiting for you, making it memorable that this phrase is about great possibilities.

Meanings of 大有可为

dàyǒukěwéi(da4you3ke3wei2)
1with great prospects for the future (idiom); well worth doing
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About 大有可为

大有可为Simplified
大有可為Traditional
18Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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AI study notes for 大有可为

Quick Contrast

大有前途 (dà yǒu qiántú) - use this entry for emphasizing potential in a more general or optimistic sense, while 大有可为 focuses on specific opportunities worth pursuing.

Usage Notes

This idiom is generally used in formal contexts, such as business discussions or motivational speeches. A common mistake is using it in a negative context; it should always convey optimism. Pair it with verbs like 'explore' or 'pursue' for clarity.

HSK Study Tips

While this idiom is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of advanced Chinese texts. Focus on recognizing how idioms are formed and the context in which they are commonly used, as they often indicate cultural nuances.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse this idiom with similar phrases like '大有作为' (dà yǒu zuò wéi), which means 'to achieve great things.' Ensure you use '可为' to focus on the potential rather than past achievements.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 大有可为

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Component characters

大dàbig
HSK 13 strokes大
View full entry
有yǒuto have
HSK 16 strokes月
View full entry
可kěcan
HSK 35 strokes口
View full entry
为wèibecause of
HSK 34 strokes丶
View full entry

How to say with great prospects for the future (idiom); well worth doing in Chinese

“with great prospects for the future (idiom); well worth doing” in Chinese is大有可为dàyǒukěwéi

The idiom 大有可为 (dà yǒu kě wéi) expresses the idea that something holds great potential and is worth pursuing. It is often used in contexts where one sees promising opportunities, whether in business, personal development, or projects, suggesting that the future is bright for a particular endeavor.

When to use 大有可为

This idiom is generally used in formal contexts, such as business discussions or motivational speeches. A common mistake is using it in a negative context; it should always convey optimism. Pair it with verbs like 'explore' or 'pursue' for clarity.

大有可为 or something close to it

大有前途 (dà yǒu qiántú) - use this entry for emphasizing potential in a more general or optimistic sense, while 大有可为 focuses on specific opportunities worth pursuing.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse this idiom with similar phrases like '大有作为' (dà yǒu zuò wéi), which means 'to achieve great things.' Ensure you use '可为' to focus on the potential rather than past achievements.

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大
有
可
为

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Frequently asked questions about 大有可为

Yes, but it's more common in formal discussions or when expressing encouragement.

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