各奔前程

• Pinyin: gè bèn qián chéng
• Hanzi breakdown: 各 (each, every); 奔 = 大 + 卉 (to rush forward); 前 = 止 + 刀 (forward — the road ahead); 程 = 禾 + 呈 (journey, stage — career path)

Meaning

Each going their own way; parting to pursue individual futures or careers. Used when a group disperses after a shared phase of life.

A four-character idiom describing the moment when a group separates — each member pursuing their own path, ambitions, or destiny. Commonly used at graduations, company restructurings, and endings of partnerships. Has a bittersweet tone: acknowledging the end of something shared while expressing hope for individual futures. 前程 means 'future prospects/career.'

Examples

1. 大学四年转瞬即逝，毕业典礼结束后，昔日室友各奔前程，天各一方。 Four years of college flew by; after the graduation ceremony ended, former roommates went their separate ways and ended up far apart.
2. 公司解散后，原本并肩作战的创业团队不得不各奔前程，另寻出路。 After the company dissolved, the startup team that had once fought side by side had to go their separate ways and find new paths.
3. 他在告别宴上举杯祝福大家各奔前程，语气中带着不舍，却也充满了对未来的期待。 At the farewell dinner, he raised his glass and wished everyone well as they went their separate ways—his tone carried reluctance, but also hope and anticipation for the future.

Usage Guide

Context: graduation, farewells, career, relationships

Tone: bittersweet

Do Say

• 合同到期后，双方决定友好分手，各奔前程，期待未来还有合作的机会。(After the contract expired, both parties decided to part on good terms — each going their own way, and hoping for future collaboration.)
• 毕业季一到，班里的同学们各奔前程，有的出国深造，有的参加工作，还有的选择创业。(With graduation season here, classmates are heading their separate ways — some going abroad to study, some entering the workforce, and others choosing to start their own businesses.)

Don't Say

• 各奔前程 implies mutual parting of a group — do not use it when only one person is leaving while the others remain together; use 另谋出路 in that case

Origin & History

各 (each); 奔 (rush toward — to pursue); 前 (forward — the future ahead); 程 (journey/career) — 'each rushing toward their own future'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal