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土生土长

*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.

1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: tǔ shēng tǔ zhǎng
  • English Translation: Born and bred (native-born and raised)
  • Idiom Composition: 「土」（Soil or land; refers to one's native land or locality.）＋「生」（To be born.）＋「土」（Soil or land; repeated here to emphasize the local origin.）＋「长」（To grow up or develop.）
  • Meaning: To be born and raised in a specific place. It emphasizes a deep-rooted connection to a locality, indicating that someone or something is indigenous rather than having moved or been brought in from elsewhere.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「土生土长」 contains the following nuances:

  • Sense of Belonging: Beyond just a place of birth, it implies a deep familiarity with local customs and a strong emotional attachment to one's roots.
  • Contrast with the 'Foreign': It is frequently used to distinguish indigenous species or local residents from those brought in from the outside, such as immigrants or imported goods.

3. Usage

「土生土长」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Personal Introduction: Used to assert one's status as a local expert or to establish authenticity and legitimacy within a community.
    • Example:「我是个土生土长的北京人，对这一带胡同的历史非常了解。」
      （I am born and bred in Beijing, so I am very familiar with the history of the hutongs in this area.）
  • Flora, Fauna, and Products: Refers to species unique to a land or local agricultural products that are not imported.
    • Example:「这种草药是本地土生土长的，对外地人来说可能很罕见。」
      （This herb is native to this area and might be quite rare to outsiders.）
  • Culture and Talent: Metaphorically used for talent developed within an organization or culture that is not imported from abroad.
    • Example:「这家公司非常重视培养土生土长的年轻干部。」
      （This company attaches great importance to cultivating home-grown young executives.）

Additional Examples:

  1. 虽然他在国外生活多年，但他始终觉得自己是个土生土长的中国人。
    （Although he has lived abroad for many years, he always considers himself a native-born and raised Chinese person.）
  2. 这些土生土长的农产品虽然卖相一般，但味道特别好。
    （These home-grown agricultural products might look ordinary, but they taste exceptional.）
  3. 作为土生土长的村民，他无法眼看着家乡的环境被破坏。
    （As a born and bred villager, he couldn't stand by and watch the local environment be destroyed.）
  4. 这部电影讲述了一个土生土长的乡村教师的故事。
    （This movie tells the story of a local rural teacher.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • Attachment to the Homeland: In Chinese culture, there is a profound emotional connection to one's ancestral land or 故乡 (gùxiāng). Using 土生土长 (tǔ shēng tǔ zhǎng) often carries a sense of pride and trustworthiness, signaling that one is not an 'outsider'.
  • Modern Contrast: In contemporary society, this term is often used to contrast with 'Returnees' (海归 - hǎiguī) and migrants from other provinces (外地人 - wàidìrén), emphasizing an 'original' or 'authentic' local identity.
  • Versatility: This is a very accessible idiom used in both casual conversation and formal writing to describe anything from people to local produce.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

土生土长 (tǔ shēng tǔ zhǎng) is a common idiom used to describe people, plants, or even cultural concepts that are native to a specific region. When applied to people, it highlights their identity as a 'local' who understands the area's customs and history. For plants or products, it means 'indigenous' or 'home-grown.' It is often used to contrast local elements with those that are imported or foreign.

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