承前启后
承前启后 (chéng qián qǐ hòu) literally means “receive past, initiate future” and expresses “linking tradition with innovation”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: cheng qian qi hou, cheng qian qi hou,承前启后 meaning, 承前启后 in english
Linking tradition with innovation
Pronunciation: chéng qián qǐ hòu
Literal meaning: Receive past, initiate future
Origin & Usage
First appearing in Song Dynasty scholarly texts, this idiom describes receiving (承) what came before (前) while initiating (启) what follows (后). It gained prominence during the Neo-Confucian revival, where thinkers sought to adapt classical wisdom to contemporary challenges. The phrase perfectly captured their mission of building new insights upon established foundations. Modern usage spans architecture to business strategy, describing successful navigation between respecting heritage and embracing progress - particularly relevant in rapidly evolving fields that must maintain connection to their roots.
When to Use
Situation: The architect's design brilliantly incorporated historical elements while introducing modern functionality
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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驾轻就熟
jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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轻车熟路
qīng chē shú lù
Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
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游刃有余
yóu rèn yǒu yú
Handle with ease; have skill to spare
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成竹在胸
chéng zhú zài xiōng
Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident
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恰如其分
qià rú qí fèn
Perfectly appropriate; fitting exactly
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恰到好处
qià dào hǎo chù
Just right; perfectly appropriate
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适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 承前启后 mean in English?
承前启后 (chéng qián qǐ hòu) literally translates to “Receive past, initiate future” and is used to express “Linking tradition with innovation”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 承前启后 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving linking tradition with innovation.
What is the pinyin for 承前启后?
The pinyin pronunciation for 承前启后 is “chéng qián qǐ hòu”.