前赴后继

• Pinyin: qián fù hòu jì
• Hanzi breakdown: 前 = forward; 赴 = 走 + 卜 (to go toward); 后 = behind; 继 = 糸 + 𠃋 (to continue/follow on)

Meaning

To advance wave after wave without hesitation; one falls and another takes their place. Describes successive people pressing forward despite setbacks or sacrifice.

Used to describe collective heroic effort or relentless group pursuit of a goal. Common in historical, military, and inspirational contexts. Always requires a plural or collective subject — it cannot describe a lone individual.

Examples

1. 革命先烈前赴后继，用鲜血和生命换来了今天的和平盛世。 Revolutionary martyrs pressed forward one after another, trading blood and life for the peace and prosperity we enjoy today.
2. 在科研攻关的道路上，一代代科学家前赴后继，最终突破了这一世界性难题。 On the road of scientific breakthroughs, generations of scientists carried on one after another, eventually solving this global challenge.
3. 救援人员前赴后继地冲进火场，将被困群众一一转移至安全地带。 Rescuers rushed into the fire one after another, moving trapped people to safety one by one.

Usage Guide

Context: history, military, inspiration

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 无数志愿者前赴后继地投身灾区重建工作，彰显了中华民族守望相助的精神。(Wave after wave of volunteers threw themselves into disaster zone reconstruction, demonstrating the Chinese people's spirit of mutual support.)
• 改革开放以来，企业家们前赴后继地投身市场建设，推动了经济的飞速发展。(Since reform and opening up, entrepreneurs have advanced in successive waves into market development, driving rapid economic growth.)

Don't Say

• 他前赴后继地完成了工作 — 前赴后继 must have a plural or collective subject; it cannot describe a single individual acting alone; use 坚持不懈 for individual perseverance

Origin & History

前赴 (advance forward) + 后继 (followed by those behind) — those in front charge ahead, those behind carry on

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal