(とうりゅうもん)

とうりゅうもん
noun
gateway to success; stepping stone
1. gateway to success; stepping stone (to a career)
A difficult barrier or contest that, once passed, opens the way to success or advancement in a field.
この大会(たいかい)若手(わかて)登竜門(とうりゅうもん)だ。
This tournament is a gateway to success for young players.
その文学賞(ぶんがくしょう)新人作家(しんじんさっか)登竜門(とうりゅうもん)だ。
That literary prize is a stepping stone for new writers.
このオーディションを突破(とっぱ)することが、芸能界(げいのうかい)への登竜門(とうりゅうもん)とされている。
Getting through this audition is regarded as the gateway into show business.

Refers to a hard gateway that, once passed, leads to success or advancement in a field. From the Chinese legend of a carp that becomes a dragon by climbing the rapids at 竜門(りゅうもん).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 登竜門(とうりゅうもん)突破(とっぱ)する: to break through the gateway to success
  • 芸能界(げいのうかい)登竜門(とうりゅうもん): a gateway into show business
  • 登竜門(とうりゅうもん)とされる: to be regarded as a stepping stone