各有所长
各有所长 (gè yǒu suǒ cháng) literally means “each has their strengths” and expresses “different people, different strengths”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: ge you suo chang, ge you suo chang,各有所长 meaning, 各有所长 in english
Different people, different 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。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
各得其所
gè dé qí suǒ
Everything in right place
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大公无私
dà gōng wú sī
Completely impartial without self-interest
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鞠躬尽瘁
jū gōng jìn cuì
Devote oneself completely; work until exhausted
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痛改前非
tòng gǎi qián fēi
Sincerely repent and reform
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与众不同
yǔ zhòng bù tóng
Unique; distinctive
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妄自菲薄
wàng zì fěi bó
Underestimate oneself; excessive self-deprecation
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国泰民安
guó tài mín ān
National peace and public security
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励精图治
lì jīng tú zhì
Work hard to improve governance
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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 “Different people, different strengths”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 各有所长 used?
Situation: Both candidates bring different but valuable skills to the position.
What is the pinyin for 各有所长?
The pinyin pronunciation for 各有所长 is “gè yǒu suǒ cháng”.