推陈出新

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: tuī chén chū xīn
• English Translation: Weeding through the old to bring forth the new
• Idiom Composition: 「推」（To push out or discard (in this context, to set aside the old).）＋「陈」（Old, stale, or outdated (originally referring to old grain in a granary).）＋「出」（To produce, bring forth, or emerge.）＋「新」（New, fresh, or innovative.）
• Meaning: To discard the outdated or stale elements of the past and develop something new and better in their place. It emphasizes the process of inheriting the essence of tradition while innovating for the modern era.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「推陈出新」 contains the following nuances:

• Inheritance and Development: This idiom does not imply creation from scratch. Instead, it emphasizes improving and evolving based on existing culture or technology.
• Metabolism (Original Meaning): Originally, the term referred to the physiological process of metabolism—expelling waste from the body and taking in new nutrients. Today, it is used metaphorically for any form of innovation.

3. Usage

「推陈出新」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Culture & Arts: Used to praise traditional arts, literature, or design that evolves by incorporating modern elements while respecting heritage.
  • Example:「这家老字号通过推陈出新，开发出了深受年轻人喜爱的传统糕点。」
    （This time-honored brand has innovated upon tradition by developing traditional pastries that are deeply loved by young people.）
• Technology & Product Development: Used when refreshing existing technology or product lines to release superior new versions.
  • Example:「科技公司必须不断推陈出新，才能在激烈的市场竞争中生存。」
    （Tech companies must constantly bring forth new ideas to survive in the fierce market competition.）
• Systems & Management: Refers to reforming outdated parts of an organization's systems or management methods to introduce new mechanisms.
  • Example:「为了适应新的经济形势，公司的管理制度也在推陈出新。」
    （To adapt to the new economic situation, the company's management systems are also being refreshed and updated.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他在继承前人技艺的基础上推陈出新，创造了独特的绘画风格。
   （Based on inheriting the skills of his predecessors, he innovated and created a unique painting style.）
2. 只有敢于推陈出新，我们的文化才能保持旺盛的生命力。
   （Only by daring to weed through the old and bring forth the new can our culture maintain its vigorous vitality.）
3. 这次的时装秀展示了设计师推陈出新的大胆尝试。
   （This fashion show displayed the designer's bold attempt to break new ground.）
4. 手机应用市场变化极快，开发者需要时刻推陈出新。
   （The mobile app market changes extremely fast; developers are required to constantly innovate.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The phrase originates from the writings of the famous poet Su Shi (苏轼), also known as Su Dongpo (苏东坡), during the Song Dynasty (宋朝). It was originally used in the context of health, specifically how eating white porridge helps the body's 'metabolism' (推陈致新) by clearing the stomach.
• While it initially described physiological processes, the meaning expanded to fields like culture, art, and politics to mean 'breaking old conventions to create something new.' Its status in modern Chinese was further solidified when Mao Zedong (毛泽东) used it to describe the policy for reforming traditional opera.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 革故鼎新 (gé gù dǐng xīn): To discard the old and establish the new; a complete transformation.
  • 吐故纳新 (tǔ gù nà xīn): To exhale the old and inhale the new; getting rid of the old to take in the fresh.
  • 除旧布新 (chú jiù bù xīn): To get rid of the old and bring in the new.link
  • 与时俱进 (yǔ shí jù jìn): To keep pace with the times and adapt to changes.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 墨守成规 (mò shǒu chéng guī): To stick to old conventions and refuse to change; to be stuck in a rut.
  • 因循守旧 (yīn xún shǒu jiù): To follow the old ways and be conservative; resisting reform.
  • 一成不变 (yī chéng bù biàn): To remain unchanged; to be set in one's ways.link

6. Summary

推陈出新 (tuī chén chū xīn) describes the act of evolving or innovating by building upon existing foundations. Rather than simply discarding the old, it suggests a 'progressive inheritance' where one keeps the good parts of tradition and adds new, creative elements. It is frequently used to praise breakthroughs in culture, art, and technology.