优胜劣汰
优胜劣汰 (yōu shèng liè tài) literally means “superior wins inferior eliminated” and expresses “natural selection eliminates the unfit”. 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: you sheng lie tai, you sheng lie tai,优胜劣汰 meaning, 优胜劣汰 in english
Natural selection eliminates the unfit
Pronunciation: yōu shèng liè tài Literal meaning: Superior wins inferior eliminated
Origin & Usage
This evolutionary idiom describes how the superior (优) survives (胜) while the inferior (劣) is eliminated (汰), entering Chinese discourse during the late Qing Dynasty through translations of Herbert Spencer's social Darwinism. It gained prominence during early Republican-era modernization movements as reformers applied natural selection concepts to social development. The biological metaphor resonated deeply during China's confrontation with industrial powers, offering an explanatory framework for international competition. Modern usage spans business competition to technological evolution, describing how environmental pressures naturally select superior adaptations.
When to Use
Situation: The competitive market naturally forced inefficient companies into bankruptcy
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Related Chinese Idioms
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出神入化
chū shén rù huà
Reach supernatural skill level
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一帆风顺
yī fān fēng shùn
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
mín fù guó qiáng
Prosperous people and powerful nation
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国泰民安
guó tài mín ān
National peace and public security
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太平盛世
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Golden age of peace and prosperity
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四海升平
sì hǎi shēng píng
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 优胜劣汰 mean in English?
优胜劣汰 (yōu shèng liè tài) literally translates to “Superior wins inferior eliminated” and is used to express “Natural selection eliminates the unfit”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 优胜劣汰 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving natural selection eliminates the unfit.
What is the pinyin for 优胜劣汰?
The pinyin pronunciation for 优胜劣汰 is “yōu shèng liè tài”.