顾全大局

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: gù quán dà jú
• English Translation: To consider the overall situation, to keep the big picture in mind, to prioritize the overall interests
• Idiom Composition: 「顾」（To look back, to consider）＋「全」（To complete, to maintain）＋「大」（Big, large）＋「局」（Situation, circumstance）
• Meaning: To act by prioritizing the overall interests and long-term perspective, rather than being caught up in individual issues or partial benefits.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「顾全大局」 contains the following nuances:

• Overall optimization: Expresses the attitude of pursuing the best outcome for the whole rather than optimizing only parts.
• Long-term perspective: Refers to making judgments and taking actions with a focus on the future rather than immediate gains.
• Self-sacrifice: Sometimes requires the willingness to sacrifice personal or partial interests for the sake of the overall benefit.
• Big-picture view: Means the ability to grasp the whole picture and judge what is important within it.

3. Usage

「顾全大局」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Leadership: Used as a quality required of leaders or persons in charge when making important decisions in an organization.
  • Example:「作为领导，他始终顾全大局，做出了对公司最有利的决策。」
    （As a leader, he always kept the big picture in mind and made decisions most beneficial to the company.）
• Cooperativeness: Expresses the attitude of prioritizing the overall interests over individual benefits in teamwork or collaboration.
  • Example:「为了项目的成功，我们每个人都应该顾全大局，互相配合。」
    （For the success of the project, each of us should consider the overall situation and cooperate with each other.）
• Nation and society: Used when considering the interests of the nation or society as a whole.
  • Example:「在制定政策时，政府必须顾全大局，考虑全体国民的利益。」
    （When formulating policies, the government must take the overall situation into account and consider the interests of all citizens.）

Additional Examples:

1. 在这次谈判中，我们必须顾全大局，做出一些让步。
   （In this negotiation, we must keep the big picture in mind and make some concessions.）
2. 尽管个人利益受到损失，但他还是顾全大局，选择了支持公司的决定。
   （Although his personal interests were harmed, he still prioritized the overall situation and chose to support the company's decision.）
3. 面对自然灾害，全国人民顾全大局，团结一心，共同抗灾。
   （Facing natural disasters, the entire nation considered the overall situation, united as one, and fought the disaster together.）
4. 在资源分配上，我们要顾全大局，优先保障重点项目的需求。
   （In resource allocation, we must keep the big picture in mind and prioritize the needs of key projects.）
5. 他是一个顾全大局的人，总是把集体利益放在第一位。
   （He is a person who prioritizes the overall situation, always putting collective interests first.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Collectivism: Chinese culture traditionally emphasizes collectivist values, tending to prioritize group interests over individual ones. '顾全大局' reflects this cultural background.
• Political context: The idiom is often used in political contexts, especially when governments or the Communist Party call on citizens to sacrifice personal interests for the nation's benefit.
• Sense of balance: While '顾全大局' is important, it does not mean completely ignoring individual rights or interests. Balancing overall benefits with personal interests is crucial.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 高瞻远瞩 (gāo zhān yuǎn zhǔ): To look far ahead from a high vantage point; having foresight.
  • 深谋远虑 (shēn móu yuǎn lǜ): To think deeply and plan far ahead; carefully considering the future.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 鼠目寸光 (shǔ mù cùn guāng): Having a narrow view, only seeing a short distance ahead; short-sightedness.
  • 自私自利 (zì sī zì lì): Thinking only of one's own interests without regard for others.

6. Summary

'顾全大局' is a very important concept in Chinese, used in various contexts such as business, politics, and daily life. Understanding this idiom helps deepen your insight into Chinese ways of thinking and behavior. It is also important to consider the balance between overall interests and individual benefits when using this idiom.