发扬光大
*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.
1. Basic Information
- Pinyin: fā yáng guāng dà
- English Translation: To carry forward and enhance (a tradition or spirit)
- Idiom Composition: 「发扬」(To develop, promote, or carry forward (a spirit or tradition))
+ 「光大」(To glorify, expand, or make grand and bright) - Meaning: To not only inherit excellent traditions, spirits, or styles but to further develop them and make them even more glorious and influential. It is a highly positive term frequently used in formal speeches and writing.
2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances
「发扬光大」 contains the following nuances:
- Inheritance and Growth: This idiom carries a strong nuance of active development; it is not just about protecting the status quo, but about making something better and more widely known.
- Positive Constraints: The object of this idiom must always be something positive, such as traditions, virtues, or culture. It is never used for bad habits or purely selfish interests.
- Formal Register: This is a 'heavy' or formal expression. It is more likely to be seen in political slogans, ceremonial speeches, or corporate philosophies than in casual daily conversation.
3. Usage
「发扬光大」 is mainly used in the following contexts:
- Inheritance of Culture and Tradition: Used when discussing passing down traditional culture, arts, or long-standing craftsmanship to the next generation while increasing its prominence.
- Example:「我们要把这种优秀的传统文化发扬光大。」
(We must further develop and promote this excellent traditional culture.)
- Example:「我们要把这种优秀的传统文化发扬光大。」
- Praising Virtues and Spirits: Used to advocate for the spread of abstract virtues like 'the spirit of helping others' or 'patriotism' throughout society.
- Example:「这种乐于助人的精神值得我们发扬光大。」
(This spirit of helping others is worthy of being carried forward and enhanced by all of us.)
- Example:「这种乐于助人的精神值得我们发扬光大。」
- Organizational and Business Growth: Used in declarations of intent to inherit a founder's vision and grow a company or organization even further.
- Example:「新任董事长承诺将把公司的核心价值发扬光大。」
(The new chairman promised to further enhance and expand the company's core values.)
- Example:「新任董事长承诺将把公司的核心价值发扬光大。」
Additional Examples:
- 中医文化博大精深,需要后人不断发扬光大。
(Traditional Chinese Medicine culture is vast and profound, requiring future generations to constantly develop and promote it.) - 希望你能继承父业,并将家族生意发扬光大。
(I hope you can inherit your father's legacy and further expand the family business.) - 奥林匹克精神在这次运动会中得到了发扬光大。
(The Olympic spirit was greatly promoted and glorified during these games.) - 尊老爱幼是中华民族的美德,我们要发扬光大。
(Respecting the elderly and loving the young is a virtue of the Chinese nation, and we should carry it forward and enhance it.)
4. Cultural Background and Notes
- The term originates from ancient philosophical texts, including concepts found in the Book of Changes (易经), specifically relating to the 'Kun' hexagram which discusses the vastness of virtue. While it originally described the static greatness of one's character, its modern usage has evolved to emphasize the dynamic act of 'developing' or 'promoting' something.
- In modern Chinese society, this idiom is a staple of formal rhetoric. You will frequently encounter it in official documents or during major anniversaries of institutions where leaders pledge to uphold and grow the organization's legacy.
- It is often used in the set phrase 继承和发扬 (jì chéng hé fā yáng), which means 'to inherit and carry forward,' emphasizing the link between past legacy and future growth.
5. Similar and Opposite Idioms
- Similar Idioms:
- 推陈出新 (tuī chén chū xīn): To weed out the old to bring forth the new; often used regarding cultural or technological innovation.link
- 继往开来 (jì wǎng kāi lái): To carry on the heritage of the past and open up a way for the future.
- 与时俱进 (yǔ shí jù jìn): To keep pace with the times and adapt to changes.link
- Opposite Idioms:
- 销声匿迹 (xiāo shēng nì jì): To disappear from the scene; to sink into oblivion or lose one's influence.link
- 昙花一现 (tán huā yí xiàn): A flash in the pan; something that appears briefly and then vanishes without lasting impact.
- 江河日下 (jiāng hé rì xià): Things are getting worse day by day.link
- 荡然无存 (dàng rán wú cún): Completely vanished or destroyed, leaving no trace.link
6. Summary
发扬光大 (fā yáng guāng dà) expresses a strong resolve to take a positive legacy—such as a culture, virtue, or business—and expand its impact. It is a sophisticated and formal expression used to describe the active promotion and glorification of something valuable.
