出息 (chūxi) is deeply embedded in the collective and hierarchical nature of Chinese culture. It's a concept that directly ties an individual's success to their family's honor. In many Western cultures, success is often framed as an individualistic pursuit of personal passion or happiness (“Follow your dreams!”). While this is valued, 出息 places a much stronger emphasis on fulfilling social and familial expectations. The “dream” is often a collective one, where the individual's achievement in a stable, well-regarded profession (like being a doctor, engineer, or civil servant) directly contributes to the family's social standing, or 面子 (miànzi). This concept is a cornerstone of Chinese parenting. From a young age, children are often encouraged to study hard so they can “将来有出息” (jiānglái yǒu chūxi) – have a promising future. This isn't just about the child's well-being but also about fulfilling their duty of 孝 (xiào), or filial piety. By becoming successful, a child repays the parents for their upbringing and brings them honor, a concept known as 光宗耀祖 (guāng zōng yào zǔ) - bringing glory to the ancestors. Therefore, someone who quits a stable job to become, for example, a street artist might be seen as pursuing personal fulfillment in the West. However, from a traditional Chinese perspective, they might be criticized as being 没出息 (méi chūxi) because their path lacks stability and clear societal prestige, regardless of their personal happiness.
出息 (chūxi) is a high-frequency word used in everyday conversation, especially within the family. Its connotation depends heavily on the context.