zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

Chinese Idioms With Easy Explanations & Learning Activities：

蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng)

蒸蒸日上 zhēng zhēng rì shàng chinese idiom chengyu meanings definitions

Learning Chinese idioms (成语) can be a fun and meaningful way to understand Chinese language and culture. It is however, not easy for children learning Chinese and English speakers to understand what they mean. And, Chinese idioms dictionaries often have explanations that need explanations themselves.

Not to worry! We have carefully written clear explanations in English for you. We have also added the equivalent English idioms and expressions so it’s super easy to understand! By the end of this blog post, you would have learned one more Chinese idiom!

Let’s dive into the Chinese idiom 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng) !

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Literal Meaning

The literal translation of the Chinese idiom 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng) in English is “Steaming upwards daily”

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Definition

The Chinese idiom 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng) is used to describe someone or something that is steadily improving and becoming more successful each day.

Let’s break it down word by word:

• 蒸 (zhēng): Means to steam something.
• 蒸蒸 (zhēng zhēng): This duplication emphasizes the idea of rising, thriving, or flourishing, much like steam rising continuously.
• 日 (rì): Means “day,” indicating “day by day,” a continuous process over time.
• 上 (shàng): Means “up” or “rising,” indicating the direction of the action.

Together, 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng) paints a vivid picture of success that builds up day by day, much like steam rising higher and higher. It is often used to describe careers, businesses, economies, or any aspect of life that is steadily advancing.

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味 zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

Similar English Idioms 相似英文习语

Comparable phrases in English include “Chugging along”, “on the up and up”, and “gain momentum.“

味 zhēng  Chinese idiom chengyu

1. Chugging along

• Definition: Describes steady and continuous progress, even if it’s slow or not particularly dramatic.
  味 zhg Chinese idiom chengyu
  味 zhg Chinese idiom chengyu
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• Example:
  English: Despite a few setbacks, his small business is chugging along and gradually expanding.
  Chinese: 尽管遇到一些挫折，他的小生意依然蒸蒸日上，慢慢地在扩大。
  (Jǐnguǎn yùdào yīxiē cuòzhé, tā de xiǎo shēngyì yīrán zhēngzhēng rì shàng, mànmàn de zài kuòdà.)

味 zhg Chinese idiom chengyu

2. On the up and up

• Definition: Indicates consistent improvement, growth, or increasing success.
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• Example:
  English: After years of hard work, her career is finally on the up and up.
  Chinese: 经过多年的努力，她的事业终于蒸蒸日上。
  (Jīngguò duōnián de nǔlì, tā de shìyè zhōngyú zhēngzhēng rì shàng.)
  zhēng Chinese idiom chengyu
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3. Gain momentum

• Definition: Describes a process or effort that is picking up speed and progressing more effectively over time.
  zhēng Chinese idiom chengyu
  
• Example:
  English:The company’s new product launch is gaining momentum, with increasing sales every day.
  Chinese:公司的新产品发布正在蒸蒸日上，每天销量都在增长。
  (Gōngsī de xīn chǎnpǐn fābù zhèngzài zhēngzhēng rì shàng, měitiān xiāoliàng dōu zài zēngzhǎng.)
  

zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

By learning 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng) alongside these English idioms, we not only deepen our understanding of its meaning but also build stronger connections between languages. When we associate idioms with real-life situations, we make learning more intuitive and memorable.

This cross-linguistic approach enhances critical thinking, boosts memory retention, and makes the learning process more engaging and relatable. In the end, exploring these parallels offers a fun and effective way to bridge language and culture. More importantly, understanding how different languages express similar ideas helps us appreciate the nuances of communication, fostering a deeper cultural awareness.

By integrating bilingual learning into everyday experiences, we move beyond rote memorization and develop a natural sense for language in context. Whether through food, stories, or personal interactions, applying what we learn to real-life situations strengthens our ability to express ourselves fluently and confidently in both Chinese and English.

 zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

 zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

Chinese Example 华语例句 for 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng)

1. 随着他的粉丝人数越来越多，得到的赞助也越来越多，让他的 Youtuber 事业蒸蒸日上。
   zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chenyu
   
   
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   (Suízhe tā de fěnsī rénshù yuè lái yuè duō, dédào de zànzhù yě yuè lái yuè duō, ràng tā de Youtuber shìyè zhēngzhēngrìshàng.)
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   As he got more fans, he was also able to get more sponsorhips, which gave his career as a Youtuber momentum.
   zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chenyu
   
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2. 每次看到我家阳台上的辣椒蒸蒸日上地长满整盆，我都怀疑自己是不是可以开一家麻辣火锅店了。
   zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chenyu
   (Měi cì kàndào wǒ jiā yángtái shàng de làjiāo zhēngzhēng rì shàng de zhǎng mǎn zhěng pén, wǒ dōu huáiyí zìjǐ shì bù shì kěyǐ kāi yī jiā málà huǒguō diàn le.)
   zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chenyu
   

   Every time I see the chili peppers on my balcony thriving and filling up the whole pot, I start to wonder if I should open my own spicy hotpot restaurant.

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3. 在我每天练习烘焙的過程中，我的蛋糕與甜點越做越好吃，我的甜点事业也蒸蒸日上。津津yu
   (Zài wǒ měitiān liànxí hōngbèi de guòchéng zhōng, wǒ de dàngāo yǔ tiándiǎn yuè zuò yuè hào chī, wǒ de tiándiǎn shìyè yě zhēngzhēngrìshàng.)
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   I practice baking every day, and the cakes and desserts I make have become more and more delicious, which has helped my dessert business grow steadily.
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4. 看着同学们蒸蒸日上的成绩，老师顿时放心了许多。
   zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chenyu
   (Kànzhe tóngxuémen zhēngzhēngrìshàng de chéngjì, lǎoshī dùnshí fàngxīnle xǔduō.)
   zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chenyu
   

   Seeing the students’ steadily improving grades, the teacher felt much more relieved.

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By incorporating humor and relatable real-life scenarios, children can develop a deeper and more intuitive understanding of the Chinese idiom while staying engaged in the learning process.

Difficult idioms often feel intimidating, but when presented in a fun and memorable way, they become much easier to absorb. Laughter and curiosity help reinforce retention, allowing learners to naturally recall these expressions when encountering similar situations in the future.

More importantly, this approach transforms language learning from a tedious task into an enjoyable experience, fostering long-term motivation and a more positive attitude toward mastering Chinese.

zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

Historical Origin 典故

The Chinese idiom 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng) originated from the book Láng Qián Jì Wén (郎潜纪闻), written by Chen Kangqi (陈康祺) during the Qing Dynasty. This book is a collection of historical anecdotes and cultural records, providing valuable insights into the Qing period.

zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

The idiom appeared in a section describing an event during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng (雍正). At that time, scholars from Zhejiang (浙江) were banned from taking the imperial examination because some of their writings were deemed disrespectful to the court.

After two years, officials petitioned the emperor, stating that Zhejiang scholars had reflected on their mistakes and had made significant progress. The phrase 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng) was used in this context to describe how the region’s intellectual atmosphere was continuously improving and flourishing.

Today, 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng)  is commonly used to describe steady progress and prosperity in various aspects of life, such as personal achievements, businesses, or society as a whole.

zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

Related Chinese Idioms

To deepen your understanding, here are a few similar idioms 相似词:

• 欣欣向荣 (xīn xīn xiàng róng): Describes a flourishing and thriving situation, often used for businesses, industries, or nature.

  Example:
  Chinese: 自从这家咖啡厅推出猫咪陪伴服务，生意就欣欣向荣，每天都座无虚席。
  (Zìcóng zhè jiā kāfēitīng tuīchū māomī péibàn fúwù, shēngyì jiù xīnxīnxiàngróng, měitiān dōu zuòwúxúxí.)

  English translation: Ever since this café introduced a cat companionship service, business has been thriving, and there hasn’t been an empty seat in sight.

  

  zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

• 扶摇直上 (fú yáo zhí shàng): Describes someone or something rising rapidly, like a soaring bird or a fast-growing career.

  Example:
  Chinese: 他的厨艺比赛拿了冠军，社群媒体粉丝暴增，事业扶摇直上。
  (Tā de chúyì bǐsài nále guànjūn, shèqún méitǐ fěnsī bàozēng, shìyè fúyáo zhíshàng.)

  English translation: After winning a cooking competition, his social media following skyrocketed, and his career took off like a rocket.
  zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

And here is an opposing expression 相反词:

• 大势已去 (dà shì yǐ qù): Describes a situation where the momentum has been lost, and success is no longer possible.

  Example:
  Chinese: 队友一看大势已去，再怎么打都赢不了游戏后，纷纷弃械投降。
  (Duìyǒu yī kàn dàshìyǐqù, zài zěnme dǎ dōu yíng bùliǎo yóuxì hòu, fēnfēn qì xiè tóuxiáng..)

  English translation: Seeing that their defeat was inevitable and there was no way to win the game, his teammates all surrendered.

  zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

• 每况愈下 (měi kuàng yù xià): Describes a situation that keeps getting worse over time.

  Example:
  Chinese: 因为家境每况愈下，他不得不辍学打工来帮忙家计。
  (Yīn wéi jiājìng měikuàngyùxià, tā bùdé bù chuòxué dǎgōng lái bāngmáng jiā jì.)

  English translation: As his family’s financial situation worsened, he had no choice but to drop out of school and work to support them.

  zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

• 一落千丈 (yí luò qiān zhàng): Describes something that declines drastically in a short period.

  Example:
  Chinese: 他的老板发现他上班偷偷打游戏后，他在公司的评分一落千丈。
  (Tā de lǎobǎn fāxiàn tā shàngbān tōutōu dǎ yóuxì hòu, tā zài gōngsī de píngfēn yīluòqiānzhàng.)

  English translation: After his boss discovered that he was playing games in the office sneakily, his reputation in the company plummeted.

zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

These terms provide a fuller understanding of the Chinese idiom 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng) and how to describe the opposite situations.

zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

Learning Activities for Kids

Want to make learning this idiom even more memorable? Here are a few interactive learning activities:

• Watch the Draw-along Chengyu Video featuring Dim Sum Warriors’ cartoonist and teacher. Together, they bring the story of the Chinese idiom 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng)  to life through engaging visuals and interesting background stories. Let’s draw the characters, learn the meanings, and listen to the stories all at once!

zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

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“Steam Up! 蒸蒸日上” The Board Game：

zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

Objective: Playing the 蒸蒸日上 board game aims to teach children the concept of continuous growth and achievement, aligning with the idiom 蒸蒸日上.

As players collect dim sum and compete for limited resources, they will experience the idea of gradual progress, success through strategic decisions, and the importance of patience and persistence.

The game encourages teamwork, resource management, and friendly competition, helping players understand the value of striving toward success and the rewards that come with it. Additionally, it promotes cultural awareness through the exploration of traditional Chinese dim sum and the zodiac theme.

zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

Introduction of the board game:

In the legendary kingdom, there is a renowned dim sum restaurant—named Steam Up 蒸蒸日上 (Zhēng Zhēng Rì Shàng).

” 蒸蒸日上 is famous worldwide for its five signature dim sum: The juicy and flavorful shrimp dumplings, tender and savory siu mai, soft and fluffy char siu bao, delicious sticky rice chicken, and exquisite chicken feet.

People come from far and wide, eager to taste these delicacies and enjoy a delightful meal. After a long, patient wait, you and several hungry zodiac animals (players) finally take your seats.

To ensure the freshness and quality of the food, 蒸蒸日上 (Zhēng Zhēng Rì Shàng) only serves its signature dim sum in limited quantities to each table.

This is an intense food battle, so grab your chopsticks and join the dim sum feast at 蒸蒸日上 (Zhēng Zhēng Rì Shàng)!

zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

Instruction video:

zhēng zhēng rì shàng Chinese idiom chengyu

In this blog post, we’ve explored the Chinese idiom 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng) , delving into its meaning and how it expresses enjoyment or relish in various contexts. The idiom 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng) not only encapsulates the idea of continuous growth and success, but also provides a meaningful cultural insight into the Chinese language.

By exploring its definition, examples, and connections to similar and opposite idioms, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of how this phrase reflects the values of progress and achievement.

Through bilingual examples, engaging activities like doodling, and the introduction of a fun board game, we’ve also provided practical ways for learners to internalize the idiom in an enjoyable and interactive manner.

Whether you’re a language enthusiast, a student of Chinese, or someone interested in expanding your cultural knowledge, the concept of 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng) offers a valuable lesson in both language and life—one of persistence, growth, and the pursuit of success.

We hope this post has sparked your interest and provided you with tools to apply 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng) in both your Chinese learning journey and beyond.

Thank you for reading, and may your progress always be 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng)!

zhēng zhēng rì shàng  Chinese idiom chengyu

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