各有所长
各有所长 (gè yǒu suǒ cháng) literally means “each has their strengths” and expresses “everyone has their own strengths”. 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: ge you suo chang, ge you suo chang,各有所长 meaning, 各有所长 in english
Everyone has their own strengths
Pronunciation: gè yǒu suǒ cháng
Literal meaning: Each has their strengths
Origin & Usage
This idiom states that each person (各) has (有) their own (所) strengths (长). It acknowledges that different individuals excel in different areas, promoting appreciation for diversity of talents. The phrase appeared in Confucian texts discussing how wise rulers recognize and employ varied talents. It counters the tendency to rank people hierarchically. Modern usage encourages recognizing everyone's unique contributions and building teams that leverage complementary strengths.
Examples
English: "Both candidates bring different but valuable skills to the position."
Chinese: 两位候选人各有所长，都能为职位带来价值。
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Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
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Handle with ease; have skill to spare
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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 各有所长 mean in English?
各有所长 (gè yǒu suǒ cháng) literally translates to “Each has their strengths” and is used to express “Everyone has their own strengths”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 各有所长 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving everyone has their own strengths.
What is the pinyin for 各有所长?
The pinyin pronunciation for 各有所长 is “gè yǒu suǒ cháng”.