集思广益
集思广益 (jí sī guǎng yì) literally means “gather thoughts wide benefit” and expresses “gather wisdom from many”. 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: ji si guang yi, ji si guang yi,集思广益 meaning, 集思广益 in english
Gather wisdom from many
Pronunciation: jí sī guǎng yì
Literal meaning: Gather thoughts wide benefit
Origin & Usage
Emerging from the Eastern Han Dynasty's governmental practices, this idiom advocates gathering (集) thoughts (思) to broaden (广) benefits (益). It was institutionalized during the Tang Dynasty through the imperial court's practice of soliciting diverse opinions before making major decisions. The phrase gained renewed significance during the Song Dynasty's revival of collective scholarship. Contemporary usage emphasizes the value of collaborative thinking and diverse perspectives in problem-solving, from corporate strategy to public policy development.
Examples
English: "The team brainstormed together to find innovative solutions"
Chinese: 团队集思广益找到创新解决方案
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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 集思广益 mean in English?
集思广益 (jí sī guǎng yì) literally translates to “Gather thoughts wide benefit” and is used to express “Gather wisdom from many”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 集思广益 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving gather wisdom from many.
What is the pinyin for 集思广益?
The pinyin pronunciation for 集思广益 is “jí sī guǎng yì”.