大有可为
Have bright prospects
Littéralement: Greatly (大) have (有) can (可) do/act (为)
Use it to describe a situation or person that is destined for great success and growth.
En 15 secondes
- Describes a person or project with massive future potential.
- Used to express optimism and confidence in a new venture.
- Best suited for professional, academic, or encouraging personal contexts.
Signification
This phrase describes a situation or person with massive potential. It is like saying something is a 'gold mine' or that the future is wide open for success.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Encouraging a friend starting a new business
你的这个创意非常新颖，我看大有可为。
Your idea is very original; I think it has bright prospects.
Discussing a new market in a business meeting
东南亚市场潜力巨大，确实大有可为。
The Southeast Asian market has huge potential and is truly promising.
A teacher praising a hardworking student
你这么努力，将来在科学领域一定大有可为。
You work so hard; you will definitely have a bright future in science.
Contexte culturel
The phrase gained significant traction in the mid-20th century, often used to encourage youth to work in developing areas. It embodies the 'Chinese Dream' sentiment of finding vast opportunities in emerging fields or untapped markets. Today, it is a staple in tech and startup culture.
The 'Subject-First' Rule
Always put the thing you are praising first. `[Subject] + 大有可为`. It acts like a complete predicate.
Don't use for finished work
If the project is already over and successful, use `大获全胜` (great victory) instead. `大有可为` is for the journey, not the destination.
En 15 secondes
- Describes a person or project with massive future potential.
- Used to express optimism and confidence in a new venture.
- Best suited for professional, academic, or encouraging personal contexts.
What It Means
大有可为 is your go-to phrase for optimism. It suggests that a project, a career, or a person has a bright future. You are saying there is plenty of room to achieve great things. It is not just about being 'good.' It is about having the space and resources to be 'extraordinary.' Think of it as a green light from the universe.
How To Use It
You usually place it after a subject to describe its potential. You can say 这个项目大有可为 (This project has great prospects). It works like an adjective phrase. You don't need fancy grammar to make it sound professional. Just identify what has potential and drop this at the end. It makes you sound confident and visionary.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to encourage someone. It is perfect for business meetings when discussing a new market. Use it when a friend starts a cool new hobby or business. It is great for graduation cards or congratulatory texts. If you see a trend that is about to explode, this is the phrase. It carries a sense of 'big picture' thinking.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for small, finished tasks. If someone just washed the dishes, don't say it's 大有可为. That sounds sarcastic or just weird. Avoid using it for things that are already at their peak. It is about *future* potential, not current completion. Also, don't use it for negative things. You wouldn't say a bad habit has 'bright prospects' unless you're being very snarky.
Cultural Background
This phrase has a strong 'can-do' spirit. It became very popular during China's era of rapid development and reform. It reflects a cultural value of hard work meeting opportunity. It suggests that the environment is ripe for those who are willing to act. It is a very 'pro-growth' and 'pro-ambition' expression. It feels like a pat on the back from a mentor.
Common Variations
You might hear 大有作为, which is very similar. However, 作为 focuses more on the person's actual accomplishments. 可为 focuses on the *possibility* of doing something. Think of 可为 as the 'potential' and 作为 as the 'achievement.' Both are high-level and very positive. Stick with 可为 when you want to emphasize the bright road ahead.
Notes d'usage
While technically a formal idiom, it is widely used in business, education, and casual encouragement. It is most effective when describing emerging trends, new careers, or innovative ideas.
The 'Subject-First' Rule
Always put the thing you are praising first. `[Subject] + 大有可为`. It acts like a complete predicate.
Don't use for finished work
If the project is already over and successful, use `大获全胜` (great victory) instead. `大有可为` is for the journey, not the destination.
The 'Big' Culture
Chinese idioms starting with `大` (big) often carry a sense of grandiosity and importance. Using this phrase makes you sound like a strategic thinker.
Exemples
6你的这个创意非常新颖，我看大有可为。
Your idea is very original; I think it has bright prospects.
Shows support for a friend's vision.
东南亚市场潜力巨大，确实大有可为。
The Southeast Asian market has huge potential and is truly promising.
Professional assessment of a business opportunity.
你这么努力，将来在科学领域一定大有可为。
You work so hard; you will definitely have a bright future in science.
Academic encouragement from a mentor.
这游戏画风太赞了，大有可为啊！
The art style of this game is amazing, it's got huge potential!
Informal praise using 'ah' for emphasis.
你这用衣架晾鞋的方法，我看大有可为，赶紧申请专利吧。
This method of drying shoes with a hanger is brilliant; you should patent it.
Playfully using a grand phrase for a small, funny invention.
随着政策的开放，这个行业大有可为。
With the opening of policies, this industry has a lot of room for growth.
Formal observation on social trends.
Teste-toi
Choose the best phrase to complete the sentence about a promising new technology.
人工智能在医疗领域的应用___。
`大有可为` fits because AI in medicine is an emerging field with lots of potential. `大功告成` means a task is finished, and `大失所望` means disappointed.
Which phrase expresses that a person has a bright future?
他年纪轻轻就展现出极高的天赋，未来___。
`大有可为` indicates a bright future. `大材小用` means wasting talent on small tasks, and `大同小异` means mostly the same.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Spectrum of 'Dà Yǒu Kě Wéi'
Used with friends to hype up their ideas.
Your TikTok channel is `大有可为`!
General discussions about trends or hobbies.
Learning Chinese is `大有可为`.
Business reports, speeches, and news articles.
The renewable energy sector is `大有可为`.
Where to use 'Bright Prospects'
Startup Pitch
Investors saying the idea has potential.
Career Advice
Telling a grad their field is growing.
New Hobbies
Praising a friend's first painting.
Market Analysis
Describing a new economic zone.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, you can say 这个年轻人大有可为 to mean this young person has a bright future. It is a very high compliment from a senior to a junior.
Not at all! While it is a 'Chengyu' (idiom), it is very common in daily speech. Just add an 啊 at the end like 大有可为啊 to make it sound more casual.
很有潜力 (has potential) is more literal and common. 大有可为 sounds more literary, confident, and sophisticated.
No, it is strictly positive. You wouldn't use it to say a disaster is 'promising' unless you are being extremely sarcastic.
Yes, the opposite would be 无所作为 (achieve nothing) or 前途渺茫 (dim future). Use those for the opposite effect.
Absolutely. Saying 贵公司在这一领域大有可为 (Your company has great prospects in this field) shows you've done your research and are optimistic.
No, it implies that the work is *worth doing*. It suggests that if you put in the effort, the rewards will be huge.
It has roots in classical Chinese but became a modern 'power phrase' during the industrial and economic booms of the 20th century.
It might sound a bit boastful. It is better to use it for others, or say 我觉得这个方向大有可为 (I feel this direction is promising) to sound more objective.
It functions as an adjective phrase. You don't need a verb like 'is' (是) before it, though you can use 是 in some structures.
Expressions liées
前程似锦
Future like brocade (bright future)
大有作为
Able to achieve great things
潜力无限
Infinite potential
来日方长
There will be plenty of time (future is long)
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