与时俱进

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: yǔ shí jù jìn
• English Translation: Keeping pace with the times (evolving with the era)
• Idiom Composition: 「与」（With or along with.）＋「时」（Time, the era, or the current trend.）＋「俱」（Together or simultaneously.）＋「进」（To advance, progress, or move forward.）
• Meaning: To continuously advance and improve one's thoughts, actions, or policies in accordance with the changes and developments of the era. It describes a proactive attitude of adapting to new situations rather than remaining stagnant.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「与时俱进」 contains the following nuances:

• Adaptation and Evolution: This term refers to more than just the passage of time; it signifies the active process of updating oneself or an organization to respond to external changes.
• Innovative Spirit: It emphasizes an attitude of not clinging to outdated habits or thoughts, but instead actively embracing new technologies and values.

3. Usage

「与时俱进」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Business and Strategy: Used as a slogan or evaluation for companies that successfully adapt to market changes, technological innovations, or management shifts.
  • Example:「在这个快速变化的数字时代，企业必须与时俱进，否则就会被淘汰。」
    （In this fast-paced digital age, companies must keep pace with the times or they will be eliminated.）
• Education and Philosophy: A formal expression used to argue that policies, curricula, or personal ideologies must align with the needs of modern society.
  • Example:「教育理念不能停留在过去，需要与时俱进，培养适应未来社会的人才。」
    （Educational philosophies cannot remain in the past; they need to evolve with the era to cultivate talent capable of adapting to future society.）
• Personal Growth: Used to praise individuals who make an effort to learn new skills or stay updated on the latest trends.
  • Example:「爷爷虽然八十岁了，但他学会了使用智能手机，真是与时俱进。」
    （Even though Grandpa is eighty, he learned how to use a smartphone; he really keeps up with the times.）

Additional Examples:

1. 我们的产品设计需要与时俱进，以满足年轻消费者的审美需求。
   （Our product designs need to evolve with the times to meet the aesthetic needs of younger consumers.）
2. 法律法规也应该与时俱进，对新兴行业进行合理的规范。
   （Laws and regulations should also keep pace with the era to provide reasonable standards for emerging industries.）
3. 要想在职场立足，就得保持学习的心态，做到与时俱进。
   （To establish yourself in the workplace, you must maintain a learning mindset and constantly update yourself.）
4. 这家百年老店通过与时俱进的改革，重新焕发了生机。
   （This century-old shop regained its vitality through reforms that kept pace with the times.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The term gained significant prominence in the early 2000s as a political slogan in China, frequently appearing in official documents to emphasize the necessity of policy innovation and modernization.
• Its modern usage is often attributed to the educator Cai Yuanpei (蔡元培), who used it in 1910 in his work 'The History of Chinese Ethics' to describe the progressive nature of Western scholarship.
• While it has a modern feel, it is rooted in classical concepts such as the phrase 与时偕行 (yǔ shí xié xíng) from the Book of Changes (易经), which suggests acting in harmony with the timing of the universe.

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; to innovate.link
  • 日新月异 (rì xīn yuè yì): Changing with each passing day; rapid progress or development.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 固步自封 (gù bù zì fēng): To be stuck in one's ways and refuse to make progress.
  • 墨守成规 (mò shǒu chéng guī): To stick to old conventions and follow the rules blindly without flexibility.
  • 一成不变 (yī chéng bù biàn): To remain unchanged; to be set in one's ways.link
  • 刻舟求剑 (kè zhōu qiú jiàn): To act foolishly by sticking to old ways while circumstances have changed.link

6. Summary

与时俱进 (yǔ shí jù jìn) is a positive idiom used to describe the continuous evolution of individuals or organizations to match the changing times. Frequently used in business, leadership, and personal development, it emphasizes the importance of innovation and the spirit of progress over simply following trends.