发愤图强

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: fā fèn tú qiáng
• English Translation: To strive for self-improvement with determination; to work hard to become stronger despite difficulties
• Idiom Composition: 「发」（to emit, to rouse oneself）＋「愤」（determination, resolve）＋「图」（to plan, to aim for）＋「强」（to be strong, improvement）
• Meaning: To rouse oneself with determination after experiencing difficulties or setbacks, working hard to achieve goals and strive for improvement. It refers not to mere effort, but to effort accompanied by strong resolve and personal growth.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「发愤图强」 contains the following nuances:

• Strong determination: Expresses a strong will and determination to overcome difficulties and setbacks.
• Mental growth: Means not just achieving goals, but also growing mentally and becoming stronger through the process.
• Ambition for improvement: Shows an attitude of not being satisfied with the current state and continuously striving to improve.
• Breakthrough from adversity: Implies using adversity as a springboard to achieve greater success.

3. Usage

「发愤图强」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Overcoming adversity: Describes someone who has experienced failure or setbacks and is recovering and making efforts.
  • Example:「面对失败，他发愤图强，终于在下一次比赛中取得了优异的成绩。」
    （Faced with failure, he strove for self-improvement with determination and finally achieved excellent results in the next competition.）
• Effort to achieve goals: Describes setting high goals and making earnest efforts to achieve them.
  • Example:「他因为一次考试的失利而发愤图强，每天学习到深夜。」
    （After failing an exam, he strove for self-improvement with determination and studied late into the night every day.）
• Self-development: Describes actively making efforts to improve oneself.
  • Example:「在遭受不公正待遇后，她没有气馁，反而发愤图强，最终赢得了大家的尊重。」
    （After facing unfair treatment, she did not get discouraged but instead strove for self-improvement with determination and eventually earned everyone's respect.）

Additional Examples:

1. 这个团队在经历挫折后，发愤图强，最终实现了业绩的飞跃。
   （After experiencing setbacks, this team strove for self-improvement with determination and eventually achieved a breakthrough in performance.）
2. 公司在市场竞争中处于劣势，但全体员工发愤图强，终于扭转了局面。
   （The company was at a disadvantage in market competition, but all employees strove for self-improvement with determination and finally turned the situation around.）
3. 他立志要成为一名优秀的医生，为此他发愤图强，刻苦学习。
   （He aspired to become an excellent doctor and strove for self-improvement with determination, studying diligently.）
4. 经过多年的发愤图强，他终于实现了自己的梦想。
   （After years of determined self-improvement, he finally realized his dream.）
5. 面对生活的压力，我们更要发愤图强，创造美好的未来。
   （Faced with the pressures of life, we must strive for self-improvement with determination even more to create a better future.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• '发愤图强' embodies the spirit of '自强不息' (zì qiáng bù xī - continuous self-improvement), a traditional Chinese value emphasizing the importance of never giving up on self-betterment.
• This idiom represents a very positive expression that shows a strong will to overcome difficulties and grow, often used to encourage perseverance in the face of adversity.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 自强不息 (zì qiáng bù xī): To make continuous efforts to improve oneself.
  • 奋发有为 (fèn fā yǒu wéi): To rouse one's spirit and achieve great results.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 自暴自弃 (zì bào zì qì): To become desperate and give up on oneself.
  • 得过且过 (dé guò qiě guò): To live from day to day, passing time listlessly.

6. Summary

'发愤图强' is a powerful idiom that represents not mere effort, but effort accompanied by strong will to face difficulties and spiritual growth. By understanding the spirit of '自强不息' (continuous self-improvement), a traditional Chinese value, one can gain a deeper understanding of this idiom and use it appropriately. This phrase is especially effective when encouraging those striving toward their goals or when inspiring oneself.