How do you pronounce 承前启后?

承前启后 is pronounced as "chéng qián qǐ hòu" in Mandarin Chinese.

承前启后

Q: What does 承前启后 mean?

承前启后 (chéng qián qǐ hòu) literally means "Receive past, initiate future" and metaphorically means "Linking tradition with innovation". It belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category of Chinese idioms.

Q: When is 承前启后 used?

承前启后 is used when The architect's design brilliantly incorporated historical elements while introducing modern functionality.

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.

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

To carry on (承) what came before (前) and open the way for (启) what follows (后). Both verbs are transitive and the phrase names a position rather than an achievement — the person or work is the joint between two periods, and its value lies in belonging fully to neither. Chinese literary and intellectual history uses it constantly for transitional figures, and it is a genuine compliment: being the hinge is harder than being on either side of it.

Examples

English: "The architect's design brilliantly incorporated historical elements while introducing modern functionality"

Chinese: 这位建筑师的设计巧妙地融合了历史元素，同时引入了现代功能

Related Chinese Idioms

Similar idioms about wisdom & learning

承上启下

chéng shàng qǐ xià

Serve as a link between preceding and following

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推陈出新

tuī chén chū xīn

Create new from old

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日新月异

rì xīn yuè yì

Changing rapidly; improving daily

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后来居上

hòu lái jū shàng

Latecomers surpass the early starters

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耳目一新

ěr mù yī xīn

A refreshing new experience

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一脉相承

yī mài xiāng chéng

Continuity of tradition

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改邪归正

gǎi xié guī zhèng

Return to righteousness

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时来运转

shí lái yùn zhuǎn

Fortune finally turns your way

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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.