Discover the meaning, origin, and cultural story behind this iconic Chinglish expression — and why it captured the world's attention.
"Good good study, day day up" is a word-for-word translation of Chairman Mao's famous slogan "好好学习，天天向上" (hǎo hǎo xué xí, tiān tiān xiàng shàng). It means "Study hard and make progress every day." It is the most iconic Chinglish phrase taught in English classes worldwide.
The original Chinese phrase was one of Chairman Mao Zedong's most famous quotes, inscribed on every Chinese school blackboard since the 1950s. When Chinese students began learning English, they literally translated this slogan. It became an international sensation when Chinese students studying abroad used it, and Western media picked it up as a perfect example of Chinglish.
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