扬长避短
扬长避短 (yáng cháng bì duǎn) literally means “promote strengths avoid weaknesses” and expresses “play to one's strengths”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: yang chang bi duan, yang chang bi duan,扬长避短 meaning, 扬长避短 in english
Play to one's strengths
Pronunciation: yáng cháng bì duǎn
Literal meaning: Promote strengths avoid weaknesses
Origin & Usage
This idiom advises promoting (扬) one's strengths (长) while avoiding (避) weaknesses (短). The phrase embodies practical wisdom about focusing on advantages rather than obsessing over deficiencies. It appeared in texts on governance and military strategy, advising leaders to deploy resources strategically. The concept aligns with both competitive strategy and personal development. Modern usage emphasizes practical self-awareness in career planning, team management, and strategic positioning.
Examples
English: "Good management means leveraging everyone's strengths while minimizing weaknesses."
Chinese: 好的管理意味着扬长避短，发挥每个人的优势。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 扬长避短 mean in English?
扬长避短 (yáng cháng bì duǎn) literally translates to “Promote strengths avoid weaknesses” and is used to express “Play to one's strengths”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 扬长避短 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving play to one's strengths.
What is the pinyin for 扬长避短?
The pinyin pronunciation for 扬长避短 is “yáng cháng bì duǎn”.