4 characters Idiom and proverb 13 190

After learning basic characters, the next level in Chinese is combining them into words, and then idioms. This free guide helps you understand advanced idioms like 「後來居上」. Meaning and usage are below.

In this introduction, we explore the idiom 「後來居上」. Its definition and ways to use it are shown below.

The later one surpasses the earlier one. There is praise for up-and-coming talents who surpass their predecessors.

The Mandarin pronunciation of this idiom is :

hòu lái jū shàng

while its Cantonese pinyin is :

hau6 loi4 geui1 seung6

Chinese idioms are vast in number, each carrying unique meanings and usages. With such variety, there’s a lot to learn and appreciate. Hopefully, these resources will aid you on your journey to mastering Chinese.