Definition
前仆后继 is a set phrase (chengyu) that describes a spirit of courage and sacrifice: as one person falls in battle, the next rushes forward to take their place. It is used metaphorically for relentless determination in the face of setbacks — not just literal war, but any continuous effort where people replace one another without giving up. You will see it in historical narratives, revolutionary rhetoric, and motivational contexts.
f.e.
(chengyu) one fallsanother steps forward — braverelentless successionadvancing wave after wave
Examples
- 前仆后继，。Gémìng xiānliè qián pū hòu jì, wèile lǐxiǎng zhàndòu dàodǐ.The revolutionary martyrs stepped forward one after another, fighting for their ideals to the end.
- ，前仆后继，。Zài xiàngmù zuì kùnnán de shíhou, tuánduì chéngyuán qián pū hòu jì, méiyǒu rén hòutuì.At the project's most difficult time, the team members stepped up one after another; no one retreated.
- 前仆后继，。Zhèng shì zhè zhǒng qián pū hòu jì de jīngshén, ràng wǒmen zuìzhōng qǔdé le shènglì.It was this spirit of unyielding succession that allowed us to finally achieve victory.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.