日新月异
日新月异 (rì xīn yuè yì) literally means “day new month different” and expresses “changing rapidly; improving daily”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: ri xin yue yi, ri xin yue yi,日新月异 meaning, 日新月异 in english
Changing rapidly; improving daily
Pronunciation: rì xīn yuè yì
Literal meaning: Day new month different
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes being new (新) every day (日) and different (异) every month (月). It captures rapid, continuous change and progress. The phrase echoes the Confucian classic 'Great Learning,' which advocates constant self-renewal. Originally about moral cultivation, it evolved to describe any field experiencing rapid development. Modern usage commonly describes technological advancement, economic growth, or any area of fast-paced change and improvement.
Examples
English: "Technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace."
Chinese: 科技发展日新月异。
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Plain sailing; everything going smoothly
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千里迢迢
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Travel a great distance
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民富国强
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Prosperous people and powerful nation
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guó tài mín ān
National peace and public security
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Golden age of peace and prosperity
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Peace everywhere; universal harmony
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ān tǔ zhòng qiān
Prefer stability; reluctant to relocate
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 日新月异 mean in English?
日新月异 (rì xīn yuè yì) literally translates to “Day new month different” and is used to express “Changing rapidly; improving daily”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 日新月异 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving changing rapidly; improving daily.
What is the pinyin for 日新月异?
The pinyin pronunciation for 日新月异 is “rì xīn yuè yì”.