📖 Meaning
To carry forward and develop something good, such as a tradition, virtue, or style, making it more brilliant and widely known. It emphasizes not merely preserving what is inherited but actively improving and expanding upon it for future generations.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces back to the Book of Changes (周易), specifically the commentary on the Kun hexagram: 'The earth's capacity is thick, carrying all things; its virtue harmonizes with the boundless, embracing greatness and glory, so that all things flourish.' The original wording '含弘光大' was later adapted into the modern idiom '发扬光大' to express the idea of developing and glorifying worthy qualities. Over the centuries it became a common expression for carrying forward the achievements and virtues of predecessors.
💡 Example Usage
我们要把中华民族的优秀传统文化发扬光大。
We should carry forward and develop the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 发扬光大
- Pinyin: fā yáng guāng dà
- Literal Translation: develop, promote, glorious, great
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4