发扬光大

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: fā yáng guāng dà
• English Translation: To develop and widely disseminate (strengths, traditions, etc.), to greatly promote.
• Idiom Composition: 「发」（to develop）＋「扬」（to spread）＋「光」（to make brilliant）＋「大」（to make great）
• Meaning: To further develop and widely disseminate good traditions, spirits, cultures, undertakings, etc. It implies not just 'continuing' but also 'making better' and 'spreading wider', carrying a positive connotation.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「发扬光大」 contains the following nuances:

• Development and Expansion: Refers to further growth and increasing the scale or influence of something good.
• Popularization and Penetration: Expresses spreading values or spirit widely among people and making them deeply rooted.
• Enhancement of Value: Includes not only spreading but also improving the value and quality.
• Proactiveness and Motivation: Shows a proactive attitude and motivation to make things better.

3. Usage

「发扬光大」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Inheritance of Traditional Culture: Refers to passing on and developing traditional culture, arts, and technologies to future generations.
  • Example:「我们要发扬光大中华民族的优秀传统文化。」
    （We must promote and carry forward the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation.）
• Dissemination of Spirit and Ideals: Means widely disseminating revolutionary spirit, sportsmanship, corporate philosophy, etc.
  • Example:「我们要发扬光大雷锋精神。」
    （We must greatly promote the Lei Feng spirit.）
• Business Development: Refers to developing and succeeding in family businesses, enterprises, projects, etc.
  • Example:「他决心将家族的事业发扬光大。」
    （He resolved to develop and expand his family business.）

Additional Examples:

1. 要把中华民族の传统美德发扬光大。
   （We must promote and carry forward the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation.）
2. 希望你能在国外把中国功夫发扬光大。
   （I hope you can promote and spread Chinese Kung Fu abroad.）
3. 我们要发扬光大这种无私奉献的精神。
   （We must greatly promote this spirit of selfless dedication.）
4. 在新领导的带领下，这个团队的业绩得到了发扬光大。
   （Under the leadership of the new leader, the team's performance has been greatly developed.）
5. 我们应当发扬光大前辈的革命精神，为实现中国梦而奋斗。
   （We should greatly promote the revolutionary spirit of our predecessors and strive to realize the Chinese Dream.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Emphasis on Tradition: In Chinese culture, the inheritance and development of traditions have been valued since ancient times. "发扬光大" is an idiom that reflects these cultural values.
• Emphasis on "光大": "光大" does not simply mean "big," but rather "so grand as to shine brightly." Therefore, "发扬光大" signifies success at a higher level, beyond mere expansion or development.
• Usage Scenarios: It is often used in relatively formal settings or in written language.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 继往开来 (jì wǎng kāi lái): Inheriting the past and forging ahead into the future.
  • 承前启后 (chéng qián qǐ hòu): Inheriting the achievements of predecessors and paving the way for future generations.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 数典忘祖 (shǔ diǎn wàng zǔ): Forgetting the achievements or traditions of one's ancestors.

6. Summary

"发扬光大" is a powerful idiom that reflects traditional Chinese values. It is used when aiming for a higher level of success and popularization, rather than just continuation or development. Understanding and appropriately using this idiom will enrich your Chinese expression.