欣欣向荣

Pronunciation: xīn xīn xiàng róng Literal meaning: Flourishing toward prosperity

Origin & Usage

Tao Yuanming, going home for good, wrote 木欣欣以向荣，泉涓涓而始流 — the trees thriving (欣欣) as they turn toward (向) flourishing (荣), the springs beginning to trickle. 欣 is gladness, so the doubling gives the growth an air of pleasure rather than mere vigour, and the phrase has kept it. Economies, businesses and communities, constantly in official writing — and the botanical origin is worth holding on to: what it describes is growth in season, not growth that was forced.

Examples

English: "The local economy is thriving with new businesses."

Chinese: 当地经济欣欣向荣，新企业不断涌现。