我凭本事考上大学
“I got into university on my own.”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
人人都能考大学
“Everyone can take the college entrance exam.”
我 凭本事 考上大学
“I got into university on my own.”
“How is that going against you?”
“I earned this fair and square, so stop blaming me for your own failures.”
In Chinese society, passing university entrance exams represents the ultimate legitimate path to social mobility; succeeding 'on one's own ability' is a primary defense against accusations of unfair play.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
by one's own skill or merit
Commonly used to assert that one's success or status was legitimately earned rather than gained through connections or luck.
pass the entrance exam and get admitted to college
A standard collocation referring to successfully getting into higher education.