lai6 zing1 tou4 zi6勵精圖治励精图治
Jyutpinglai6 zing1 tou4 zi6
Yalelaih jīng tòuh jih
Definition
To exert great effort to govern a country well and bring it into prosperity.
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How it's used
This is a formal idiom rooted in classical Chinese literature, describing a ruler or leader who is determined to reform and improve their administration. It is rarely used in casual conversation and sounds quite scholarly or journalistic. When used, it implies a sense of urgency and high moral responsibility for the state of affairs.
Examples
He worked hard to govern, making the country very powerful.
Can the new government really work hard to bring prosperity?
Related words
Common phrases
a government that strives for prosperity
to resolve to govern with great effort
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe personal career success or individual hard work in a non-governmental context, as it specifically carries the weight of governing or managing a large organization or state.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
