前功尽弃...
qian gong jin qi...
All for nothing...
Literally: Previous (前) work/effort (功) completely (尽) abandoned/discarded (弃).
In 15 Seconds
- All previous efforts are completely wasted or lost.
- Used when a mistake ruins a long-term project or goal.
- Expresses frustration, warning, or a sense of total defeat.
Meaning
Imagine building a massive tower of cards, and just as you place the final piece, someone sneezes and the whole thing collapses. That feeling of all your hard work being wasted is exactly what this phrase captures.
Key Examples
3 of 6Losing a long document because the computer crashed
电脑突然蓝屏了，我写了一整天的报告前功尽弃了！
The computer blue-screened; my whole day's work on the report is all for nothing!
Warning a friend not to break their diet
别吃那块蛋糕，不然你这一个月的健身就前功尽弃了。
Don't eat that cake, or your month of gym work will go to waste.
A business deal falling through at the last minute
如果这次谈判失败，我们半年的努力就前功尽弃了。
If this negotiation fails, our six months of effort will be for nothing.
Cultural Background
This idiom (chengyu) is rooted in the 'Warring States Policy' and has been used for over two millennia. it reflects a deeply ingrained cultural fear of 'giving up halfway' (半途而废). It emphasizes that in Chinese society, consistency and seeing a task through to the very end are the ultimate marks of character.
The 'Result' Focus
Use this phrase specifically when there is a clear goal that was almost reached. It's more impactful when the finish line was in sight.
Don't Overuse
Because it's quite a 'heavy' idiom, using it for every minor inconvenience (like dropping a pen) can make you sound overly dramatic.
In 15 Seconds
- All previous efforts are completely wasted or lost.
- Used when a mistake ruins a long-term project or goal.
- Expresses frustration, warning, or a sense of total defeat.
What It Means
Think of this as the ultimate 'facepalm' expression for productivity. It describes a situation where all your past efforts are suddenly rendered useless. It is not just about a small mistake. It is about the total loss of progress. One wrong move at the finish line ruins the whole race.
How To Use It
You usually use it as a standalone comment or a result. You can say 真是不想前功尽弃 (I really don't want all my work to go to waste). It often follows a 'but' or a 'if' statement. It highlights the high stakes of a situation. It is like saying 'all that for nothing.'
When To Use It
Use it when a diet fails because of a late-night pizza. Use it when a computer crashes before you hit save. It is perfect for high-pressure moments at work. It works when a long-term project faces a sudden threat. It is great for expressing frustration or warning someone to stay focused.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for tiny, inconsequential things. If you drop a single grape, it is not 前功尽弃. It requires a 'build-up' of effort. Do not use it if you can easily fix the mistake. It implies a sense of finality or a massive setback. Avoid using it to describe someone else's failure unless you are being very empathetic.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from ancient Chinese philosophy and history. It reflects the value placed on perseverance and 'finishing strong.' In Chinese culture, the process is important, but the result is the 'face.' Losing the result after a long process is seen as a significant tragedy. It reminds people that the last 1% of effort is as important as the first 99%.
Common Variations
You might hear people say 功亏一篑. That is a bit more literary. It specifically means falling short by just one bucket of earth. 前功尽弃 is much more common in daily speech. Both carry the same heavy heart of 'so close, yet so far.'
Usage Notes
This phrase is a 'Chengyu' (idiom) but is extremely versatile. It sits in the 'neutral' register, meaning it's equally at home in a textbook, a business email, or a frustrated text to a friend. Just remember it requires a 'build-up' of effort to make sense.
The 'Result' Focus
Use this phrase specifically when there is a clear goal that was almost reached. It's more impactful when the finish line was in sight.
Don't Overuse
Because it's quite a 'heavy' idiom, using it for every minor inconvenience (like dropping a pen) can make you sound overly dramatic.
The 'Face' Connection
In China, 'saving face' is huge. `前功尽弃` often implies a loss of face because the visible result of your hard work has vanished.
Examples
6电脑突然蓝屏了，我写了一整天的报告前功尽弃了！
The computer blue-screened; my whole day's work on the report is all for nothing!
A very common modern frustration using the phrase.
别吃那块蛋糕，不然你这一个月的健身就前功尽弃了。
Don't eat that cake, or your month of gym work will go to waste.
Used as a warning to maintain discipline.
如果这次谈判失败，我们半年的努力就前功尽弃了。
If this negotiation fails, our six months of effort will be for nothing.
Highlights high stakes in a professional setting.
他提前回来了！我们的惊喜计划前功尽弃了。😭
He came back early! Our surprise plan is totally ruined.
Informal use with emojis for social situations.
浪花一过来，我的城堡就前功尽弃了，太难了！
The wave came and my castle was toast. Life is hard!
Using a heavy idiom for a light situation for comedic effect.
我们必须坚持到底，绝不能让之前的牺牲前功尽弃。
We must persist to the end; we cannot let previous sacrifices be in vain.
Very formal and serious tone.
Test Yourself
Choose the best phrase to complete the sentence about a ruined painting.
我不小心把墨水洒在了画上，几个小时的辛苦工作全都___了。
Since the ink ruined hours of work, '前功尽弃' (all for nothing) is the only logical choice.
A coach is encouraging a team to stay focused in the final minutes.
比赛还没结束，大家要坚持住，千万不能___！
The coach is warning them not to let their previous lead go to waste.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of '前功尽弃'
Texting friends about a ruined video game save.
我的存档没了，前功尽弃！
Talking to a colleague about a project setback.
我们要小心，别让努力前功尽弃。
A CEO addressing the company during a crisis.
此举若败，则前功尽弃。
When to say 'All for Nothing'
Dieting/Fitness
Eating a burger after a week of salads.
Tech Failures
Unsaved files after a power outage.
Relationships
A single argument ruining a reconciliation.
Education
Missing the final exam after studying all year.
Practice Bank
2 exercises我不小心把墨水洒在了画上，几个小时的辛苦工作全都___了。
Since the ink ruined hours of work, '前功尽弃' (all for nothing) is the only logical choice.
比赛还没结束，大家要坚持住，千万不能___！
The coach is warning them not to let their previous lead go to waste.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot at all! While it is a four-character idiom, it's very common in casual conversation, like saying 我都要前功尽弃了 (I'm about to lose all my progress).
Yes, but be careful. Saying it to someone who just failed might sound like you are mocking them. It's better used as a warning: 别前功尽弃了 (Don't let it go to waste).
半途而废 means you gave up by choice in the middle. 前功尽弃 means the effort was lost, often due to an error or external event, usually near the end.
Almost never. It is inherently about loss and wasted effort. You might say 'I won't let it be 前功尽弃' to sound determined, but the phrase itself is negative.
No, it can be about anything—hobbies, diets, video games, or even building a relationship. If effort was spent, it applies.
Younger people might just say 白干了 (baí gàn le), which literally means 'worked for white' (worked for nothing).
Focus on the 'qi' at the end. It should sound sharp and final. Qi4 (fourth tone) adds to the feeling of something being dropped or abandoned.
If you use it for small things, it sounds sarcastic or humorous. Like if you mess up a single line of a coloring book and say 前功尽弃.
Yes, it's very common when discussing risks. 'If we don't secure this client, our marketing spend will be 前功尽弃.'
It's usually used as a predicate at the end of a sentence: [Subject] + 前功尽弃了.
Related Phrases
半途而废
To give up halfway / stop midway.
功亏一篑
To fail for lack of a final effort (very similar).
白费力气
A waste of energy / effort.
付诸东流
All one's efforts cast to the wind (literally 'flowing east with the river').
