yì一onefān帆sailfēng风windshùn顺smooth
Smooth sailing all the way — everything going perfectly.
Literal meaning
one (一) — sail (帆) — wind (风) — smooth (顺)
Origin
A traditional sailor's blessing — a single sail catching a fair wind means an effortless voyage. Used in modern Chinese as a stock well-wish for any endeavour beginning soon.
Examples
Zhù祝nǐ你yì一fān帆fēng风shùn顺。
Wishing you smooth sailing.
Tā他de的shì事yè业yì一fān帆fēng风shùn顺。
His career has gone smoothly.
Usage & nuances
Standard Chinese New Year, send-off, or congratulations blessing. Casual register, very common.
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