海纳百川
海纳百川 (hǎi nà bǎi chuān) literally means “sea accepts hundred rivers” and expresses “accept all with open mind”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character.
Also searched as: hai na bai chuan, hai na bai chuan,海纳百川 meaning, 海纳百川 in english
Accept all with open mind
Pronunciation: hǎi nà bǎi chuān Literal meaning: Sea accepts hundred rivers
Origin & Usage
The sea (海) takes in (纳) a hundred (百) rivers (川) and is still the sea — that is the whole argument, and it is why the image is the sea and not a lake. The line is Lin Zexu's, the first half of a couplet normally quoted whole: 海纳百川，有容乃大；壁立千仞，无欲则刚 — the sea admits a hundred rivers, and capacity is what makes it great; the cliff stands a thousand fathoms, and wanting nothing is what makes it unyielding. He wrote it in 1839, in the weeks before the opium seizures at Humen. The people it describes can absorb difference without losing their own shape.
Examples
English: "The company welcomed diverse perspectives and ideas"
Chinese: 公司欢迎不同的观点和想法
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
以和为贵
yǐ hé wéi guì
Value harmony above all
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同舟共济
tóng zhōu gòng jì
Face challenges together
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风雨同舟
fēng yǔ tóng zhōu
Share hardships together
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川流不息
chuān liú bù xī
Continuous flow; never-ending stream
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以心换心
yǐ xīn huàn xīn
Treat others as yourself
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春风化雨
chūn fēng huà yǔ
Gentle, nurturing influence
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守望相助
shǒu wàng xiāng zhù
Neighbours look out for each other
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守口如瓶
shǒu kǒu rú píng
Keep secrets well
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 海纳百川 mean in English?
海纳百川 (hǎi nà bǎi chuān) literally translates to “Sea accepts hundred rivers” and is used to express “Accept all with open mind”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 海纳百川 used?
Situation: The company welcomed diverse perspectives and ideas
What is the pinyin for 海纳百川?
The pinyin pronunciation for 海纳百川 is “hǎi nà bǎi chuān”.
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