Zhang Ziyi Quotes

Powerful Zhang Ziyi for Daily Growth

About Zhang Ziyi

Zhang Ziyi, born on February 9, 1979, in Hami, Xinjiang, China, is a renowned actress, model, and producer, known for her versatile acting skills and international popularity. Growing up in a Hui Muslim family, Zhang developed an early interest in dance, joining the Beijing Dance Academy at the age of eight. This background would significantly influence her career, as her grace and agility have been lauded in many of her roles. After making her film debut in The Road Home (1999), Zhang gained worldwide recognition for her performance in Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), which earned her a BAFTA Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. This was followed by prominent roles in Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) and Rush Hour 3 (2007). Zhang has consistently pushed herself to explore different genres, taking on diverse roles such as the titular character in The Vengeance of an Oddball (2004), a blind violinist in 2046 (2004), and a time-traveling detective in The Widow's Tears (2011). Her commitment to her craft has earned her multiple accolades, including three Asian Film Awards and five Hundred Flowers Awards. Beyond acting, Zhang has ventured into producing. She produced the award-winning film The Grandmaster (2013), starring herself and directed by Wong Kar-wai. In 2018, she made her directorial debut with the short film Cloud Atlas: The End of the World, a segment based on the novel Cloud Atlas. Throughout her career, Zhang Ziyi has been an ambassador for various global brands and charities, using her influence to promote social causes. She remains one of China's most celebrated actresses, a testament to her talent, dedication, and enduring appeal.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I always believe that every dream comes true if you work hard enough for it."

This quote emphasizes the importance of persistence and hard work in achieving one's dreams or goals. It suggests that with dedication, determination, and perseverance, any aspiration can be realized. In essence, it encourages individuals to never give up on their hopes and ambitions, as success is often a product of relentless effort.


"In life, you have to be brave and take risks."

This quote emphasizes the importance of courage and willingness to take risks in living one's life. It suggests that to fully experience life, one must not shy away from facing challenges or venturing into uncharted territories, as these experiences can lead to growth and personal development. In essence, it encourages individuals to be bold, adventurous, and fearless in their pursuit of happiness and fulfillment.


"Success is not just about winning, but also about enjoying the process of becoming a winner."

This quote by Zhang Ziyi highlights that success is more than just achieving victories or accolades; it's about savoring the journey towards mastery. It suggests that the genuine pleasure derived from personal growth, learning, and development throughout one's pursuits are essential components of true success. In other words, a fulfilling process of becoming a winner is as important as the ultimate outcome itself.


"I think everyone has their own time, and it's important not to force things or rush the process."

This quote by Zhang Ziyi emphasizes the importance of patience and allowing natural progression in life. It suggests that every individual has a unique timeline for personal growth, development, and achievement. Rushing or forcing situations may lead to unnecessary stress, setbacks, or missed opportunities. Instead, understanding and accepting one's own pace can lead to a more fulfilling and successful life journey.


"The greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." (This quote is actually by Confucius, but Zhang Ziyi often quotes it.)

This quote emphasizes resilience and the value of overcoming adversity. It suggests that true greatness isn't found in never encountering failure or hardship, but in our ability to rise again after we fall. It encourages persistence, determination, and a growth mindset, reminding us that it's okay to stumble as long as we continue to get back up and move forward.


Actually I ran away from school when I was 13. No one could find me, and the police were called. I was just hiding in a little thicket of grass at my school, and went to sleep.

- Zhang Ziyi

Away, Could, Actually, Ran

Men are different. When they are in love they may also have other girlfriends.

- Zhang Ziyi

Love, Men, Other, Girlfriends

Zhang Yimou is always going to need young, pretty girls for his films. But I don't really concern myself with what Zhang Yimou's next starlet looks like.

- Zhang Ziyi

Next, Always, Films, Starlet

From beginning to end I worried that Ang Lee wouldn't be satisfied with my work. So I worked as hard as I could to earn his trust, because you only get a chance like this once.

- Zhang Ziyi

Trust, Beginning, Lee, Worried

I'm not really interested in politics, because I think it's just too removed from my own life. If there's a war, though, or a disaster, I want to know what's happening.

- Zhang Ziyi

Politics, Own, I Think, Disaster

Obviously I'd love to work with any of these great directors because every time I've worked with them I've gained a tremendous amount as an actor. Each director has his own way of pushing you towards improving yourself.

- Zhang Ziyi

Love, Own, Directors, Tremendous Amount

That whole environment was just incompatible with my beliefs and my personality. It was a dark time for me.

- Zhang Ziyi

Personality, Environment, Incompatible

I wanted to escape so badly. But of course I knew I couldn't just give up and leave school. It was only when I heard my mom's voice that I came out of my hiding place.

- Zhang Ziyi

Mom, Voice, Badly, Escape

There was one very special scene at the end of the film. My character, Zhao Di, has been sick. She wakes up and her mother tells her that the man she loves has come back from the city and had spent the day by her bedside.

- Zhang Ziyi

City, Been, Very, Wakes

The atmosphere at my school was very competitive. Young girls were competing with each other every day for status, for leadership, for the affection of the teachers. I hated it.

- Zhang Ziyi

Competing, Atmosphere, Very, Affection

There are films you see that only reach your eyes. Then there are films that you can watch... that reach down to your throat, or reach your heart. 'In the Mood for Love,' though, reached all the way to my belly.

- Zhang Ziyi

Love, Belly, Films, Reached

Ordinarily if an actor gets chosen for the lead in a film, he or she has already built up a repertoire, and everyone knows what he or she is capable of.

- Zhang Ziyi

Everyone, Built, He Or She, Ordinarily

We're still working out the details, but I'd be delighted to do the film. The problem at the moment is my busy schedule. Shooting on this film has been extended by a month, but I need to be in the U.S. by Dec. 20.

- Zhang Ziyi

Need, Been, Still, Delighted

Yes. Otherwise I could have done a lot of Hollywood movies. After Crouching Tiger I got a lot of offers, but I turned them down because they were all victim roles - poor girls sold to America to be a wife or whatever. I know I have the ability to go deeper, to take on more original roles than that.

- Zhang Ziyi

Hollywood, Turned, Roles, Victim

Today's China is not in the least shut out from the rest of the world. Trends come to us from all over the world. And the Internet is really developed in China. We get news from all over the world.

- Zhang Ziyi

News, Over, Shut, Trends

There are actors who spend 20 years working and still don't achieve what I've achieved so quickly. So I think my only course of action is to work as hard as I can, not just for the sake of the film, but also to prove to these people that I do have talent.

- Zhang Ziyi

Achieve, Prove, I Think, Sake

Wanting to be in a Western film won't get me very far. Unless the opportunity arose, it doesn't matter how much I want to be in one. But if an opportunity did arise, no actor would pass it up.

- Zhang Ziyi

Matter, Wanting, Very, Western

Most people spend their whole lives looking for the right job. There are others who never get an opportunity to do work that fulfils them.

- Zhang Ziyi

Work, Opportunity, Lives, Right Job

When I watch a movie for the first few times I'm usually thinking about where I was in a given scene, who was next to me, what we were doing etc. But after I've gotten through all of this, when I'm really watching the film itself, then I get moved.

- Zhang Ziyi

Doing, Through, Next, Etc

Absolutely not, because in acting I've found a domain that suits me perfectly. And that is so utterly rare.

- Zhang Ziyi

Suits, Perfectly, Utterly, Domain

When two people first meet, they can only have a very ordinary kind of friendship. But when you begin to understand each other, when you get close to them, you discover that you're suddenly eager to know him or her even better.

- Zhang Ziyi

Friendship, Other, Very, Suddenly

They're not willing to admit that I've also shed blood and tears and often paid dearly for my success. This makes me feel extremely sad.

- Zhang Ziyi

Tears, Willing, Shed, Dearly

After I learn more English, I'll work hard and make more films.

- Zhang Ziyi

Learn, More, Films, Work Hard

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