众望所归
*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.
1. Basic Information
- Pinyin: zhòng wàng suǒ guī
- English Translation: To be the popular choice (meeting everyone's expectations)
- Idiom Composition: 「众」(The masses; many people)
+ 「望」(Expectations; prestige; hope) + 「所」(A particle indicating the object of an action (that which...)) + 「归」(To converge; to return to; to belong to) - Meaning: A situation where the expectations and trust of the public are focused on a specific person or outcome. It is a highly positive expression used when a result, such as a leader's election or an award, is universally accepted and desired.
2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances
「众望所归」 contains the following nuances:
- Overwhelming Support: This term goes beyond mere popularity; it implies a deep sense of public conviction that 'it had to be this person' or 'this is the only right outcome.'
- Emphasis on Legitimacy: It is often used to highlight that a position or result is based on the collective will of the public rather than individual ambition or luck.
3. Usage
「众望所归」 is mainly used in the following contexts:
- Elections and Leadership: Used to congratulate a newly elected leader or official, emphasizing that their victory is what everyone wanted.
- Example:「李教授当选为新一任校长,可以说是众望所归。」
(Professor Li being elected as the new president is truly what everyone had hoped for.)
- Example:「李教授当选为新一任校长,可以说是众望所归。」
- Awards and Victories: Used when a highly skilled or deserving person wins a competition or award, noting the validity of the result.
- Example:「这部电影获得了最佳影片奖,确实是众望所归。」
(This film winning the Best Picture award is certainly the outcome everyone expected.)
- Example:「这部电影获得了最佳影片奖,确实是众望所归。」
- Public Support for Policies: Used to describe a social trend or policy decision that aligns with the common will of the people.
- Example:「和平与发展是当今世界的潮流,也是众望所归。」
(Peace and development are the trends of today's world and also what the people desire.)
- Example:「和平与发展是当今世界的潮流,也是众望所归。」
Additional Examples:
- 他在这次比赛中夺冠,不仅是实力体现,也是众望所归。
(His victory in this competition is not only a display of strength but also the result everyone was waiting for.) - 经过多年的努力,这家公司终于上市了,真是众望所归。
(After years of effort, this company finally going public is truly in line with everyone's expectations.) - 大家一致推选他担任队长,这是众望所归的事情。
(Everyone unanimously recommending him as captain was a natural choice reflecting his popularity.) - 这项惠民政策的出台,可以说是众望所归。
(The introduction of this policy benefiting the people can be said to be what the public desired.)
4. Cultural Background and Notes
- Source: This idiom originates from the Book of Jin (晋书). Historically, it was a weighty term used to justify the ascension of emperors or kings, framing their rule as being supported by the 'Mandate of Heaven' and the 'Will of the People.'
- Modern Usage: Today, the term is no longer restricted to politics. It is widely used in business, sports, and entertainment to suggest that a person is chosen because they possess both exceptional ability and a respected character.
- Nuance: While similar to 人心所向 (rén xīn suǒ xiàng), which refers to the 'direction' of people's hearts or general support, 众望所归 (zhòng wàng suǒ guī) specifically focuses on the 'arrival' or 'realization' of those hopes in a specific person or event.
5. Similar and Opposite Idioms
- Similar Idioms:
- 人心所向 (rén xīn suǒ xiàng): The direction in which the people's hearts turn; general public support.
- 深孚众望 (shēn fú zhòng wàng): To deeply live up to the great expectations of the public.
- 当之无愧 (dāng zhī wú kuì): To fully deserve something without any doubt.link
- Opposite Idioms:
- 众叛亲离 (zhòng pàn qīn lí): To be deserted by one's followers and abandoned by one's family; complete isolation.
- 千夫所指 (qiān fū suǒ zhǐ): To be pointed at by a thousand fingers; to be the target of public condemnation.
- 众矢之的 (zhòng shǐ zhī dì): The target of public criticism or attack.link
6. Summary
The idiom 众望所归 (zhòng wàng suǒ guī) describes a result or selection that aligns perfectly with public hope and consensus. It is frequently used in formal contexts, such as news reports or official announcements, to emphasize that a winner or leader has the full support and trust of the people.
