Chinese word

取长补短

Pronunciation

Pinyinqǔ cháng bǔ duǎn

Meaning

  • idiomstrengths offset weaknesses

Example

我们要取长补短，共同进步。wǒ men yào qǔ cháng bú duǎn gòng tóng jìn bù

We should use our strengths to offset our weaknesses and make progress together.

Illustration for 取长补短 (strengths offset weaknesses)

More examples

在团队合作中，大家应该互相取长补短。zài tuán duì hé zuò zhōng dà jiā yīng gāi hù xiāng qǔ cháng bú duǎn

In teamwork, everyone should use each other's strengths to offset weaknesses.

Core concept

A shared task becomes stronger when one person's best ability bridges another person's missing ability.

Common phrases

  • 互相取长补短hù xiāng qǔ cháng bú duǎn

    use each other's strengths to offset weaknesses

  • 取长补短的精神qǔ cháng bú duǎn de jīng shén

    the spirit of using strengths to offset weaknesses

  • 取长补短的方法qǔ cháng bú duǎn de fāng fǎ

    the method of using strengths to offset weaknesses

Similar words

扬长避短yáng cháng bì duǎn: Building on strengths while avoiding weaknesses to reduce the effect of shortcomings.
优势互补yōu shì hù bǔ: Combining different strengths so each fills another's gap and raises the group's ability.
相辅相成xiāng fǔ xiāng chéng: Supporting each other so that combined efforts make both sides more effective.

Definition in Chinese

在团体或合作中，通过发挥成员各自的优势弥补个人或整体的不足。zài tuán tǐ huò hé zuò zhōng tōng guò fā huī chéng yuán gè zì de yōu shì mí bǔ gè rén huò zhéng tǐ de bù zú

Word origin

The four characters 取 (qǔ, "take") + 长 (cháng, "strength") + 补 (bǔ, "make up") + 短 (duǎn, "weakness") build a compact image of taking a useful strength and filling a shortfall.

Usage tips

  • The expression fits group projects, clubs, and partnerships, where different skills combine instead of every member needing to do everything equally well.

Other meanings

  • fill each other's gapsidiom

Opposites

Word lists with this word