百年大计
百年大计 (bǎi nián dà jì) literally means “hundred-year great plan” and expresses “long-term plan; matter of lasting importance”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: bai nian da ji, bai nian da ji,百年大计 meaning, 百年大计 in english
Long-term plan; matter of lasting importance
Pronunciation: bǎi nián dà jì Literal meaning: Hundred-year great plan
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes a great (大) plan (计) spanning a hundred (百) years (年). It emphasizes long-term thinking and planning that extends beyond immediate concerns to future generations. The phrase appeared in texts discussing governance and national development. It reflects the Chinese cultural value of considering consequences across extended timeframes. Modern usage commonly describes education, infrastructure, and other investments whose benefits unfold over generations.
Examples
English: "Education is a long-term investment in the nation's future."
Chinese: 教育是国家的百年大计。
Related Chinese Idioms
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胸有成竹
xiōng yǒu chéng zhú
Have clear plan beforehand
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步步为营
bù bù wéi yíng
Advance methodically with caution
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退避三舍
tuì bì sān shè
Make concessions to avoid conflict
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旁敲侧击
páng qiāo cè jī
Approach indirectly to achieve goal
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暗度陈仓
àn dù chén cāng
Achieve secretly through misdirection
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釜底抽薪
fǔ dǐ chōu xīn
Eliminate root cause of problem
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推波助澜
tuī bō zhù lán
Amplifying existing trends or momentum
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 百年大计 mean in English?
百年大计 (bǎi nián dà jì) literally translates to “Hundred-year great plan” and is used to express “Long-term plan; matter of lasting importance”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 百年大计 used?
Situation: Education is a long-term investment in the nation's future.
What is the pinyin for 百年大计?
The pinyin pronunciation for 百年大计 is “bǎi nián dà jì”.
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