兼收并蓄
jian shou bing xu
Adopt all merits
Literally: Simultaneously (兼) collect (收) together (并) store (蓄)
In 15 Seconds
- Being inclusive by gathering diverse ideas or styles together.
- A sophisticated way to praise broad-mindedness and variety.
- Reflects the cultural value of harmony through diversity.
Meaning
It describes the act of being open-minded and inclusive by gathering diverse ideas, styles, or talents into one cohesive whole. Think of it as building a 'super-team' of concepts where every unique element is valued and preserved.
Key Examples
3 of 7Praising a city's culture
这座城市文化底蕴深厚，兼收并蓄。
This city has a deep cultural heritage and adopts all merits.
Complimenting a professor's knowledge
王教授的学问兼收并蓄，让人佩服。
Professor Wang's knowledge is incredibly inclusive; it's truly admirable.
Discussing a new fusion restaurant
这家餐厅的菜式兼收并蓄，融合了中西特色。
This restaurant's menu adopts all merits, blending Chinese and Western features.
Cultural Background
Rooted in the Confucian ideal of 'harmony without uniformity' (和而不同).
Use it in writing
It's a great way to impress in essays.
In 15 Seconds
- Being inclusive by gathering diverse ideas or styles together.
- A sophisticated way to praise broad-mindedness and variety.
- Reflects the cultural value of harmony through diversity.
What It Means
Imagine you are building a dream team. You want the fastest runner. You want the smartest strategist. You want the most creative artist. 兼收并蓄 is exactly that mindset. It means taking in diverse elements from everywhere. You don't just pick one style or one school of thought. You embrace them all. It is about being inclusive, broad-minded, and resourceful. You aren't just grabbing things; you are carefully preserving them. It is the opposite of being narrow-minded or picky.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase to describe a person’s knowledge. You can also use it for a city’s culture or a company's strategy. It usually acts as a predicate or an adjective in a sentence. For example, you could say a library's collection is 兼收并蓄. It sounds very sophisticated and intellectual. It tells people you appreciate the beauty of variety. It is like saying, 'I see the value in everything, so I keep it all.'
When To Use It
Use it during a deep talk about art or philosophy. It is perfect for praising a company’s diverse hiring culture. If you are at a museum, you might use it to describe an exhibit. It is great for professional meetings when discussing new ideas. Use it when someone successfully combines old traditions with modern tech. It shows you have a high level of cultural literacy. Your Chinese friends will be very impressed by your vocabulary choice!
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for your messy closet! That is just being disorganized. This phrase implies a purposeful, valuable collection. Don't use it for things that clash in a bad way. If a soup tastes weird because of too many spices, that isn't 兼收并蓄. It is just a mess. It is a positive, complimentary term. Use it for things that represent 'richness' rather than 'clutter.' Also, avoid it in very casual slang-heavy chats with teenagers; it might sound a bit too 'academic' for a video game lobby.
Cultural Background
This phrase traces back to the Tang Dynasty. A famous writer and philosopher named Han Yu used it. He was talking about how a scholar should approach learning. He believed we should read everything—not just the 'approved' books. This reflects a core Chinese value: 'Harmony in Diversity.' It suggests that a truly great culture or mind doesn't exclude; it absorbs and integrates. It is the mark of a true master or a great civilization.
Common Variations
You might hear people say 兼容并包. This is a very close cousin. It means 'inclusive and encompassing.' Another one is 海纳百川, which means 'the sea admits a hundred rivers.' While 海纳百川 focuses on the vastness of one's heart, 兼收并蓄 focuses more on the act of collecting and keeping diverse things. They are like two sides of the same 'open-minded' coin.
Usage Notes
This is a high-register Chengyu. Use it when you want to sound educated or when the subject matter is of significant value. Avoid using it for trivial or negative 'collections.'
Use it in writing
It's a great way to impress in essays.
Examples
7这座城市文化底蕴深厚，兼收并蓄。
This city has a deep cultural heritage and adopts all merits.
Describes a city that blends modern and traditional, East and West.
王教授的学问兼收并蓄，让人佩服。
Professor Wang's knowledge is incredibly inclusive; it's truly admirable.
Shows respect for someone who has studied many different fields.
这家餐厅的菜式兼收并蓄，融合了中西特色。
This restaurant's menu adopts all merits, blending Chinese and Western features.
A classy way to describe fusion cuisine.
你的歌单真是兼收并蓄，什么风格都有！
Your playlist is so diverse, it has every style imaginable!
Using a formal phrase in a casual way to sound slightly dramatic or impressed.
你这屋子里的破烂儿还真是兼收并蓄啊。
The junk in your room is quite the 'inclusive collection,' isn't it?
Using a high-level phrase for something low-level creates a funny irony.
我们公司秉持兼收并蓄的原则，欢迎各种人才。
Our company upholds the principle of inclusivity and welcomes all kinds of talent.
Standard corporate phrasing for diversity and inclusion.
经历多了，心胸自然也就兼收并蓄了。
After experiencing much, one's heart naturally becomes more inclusive.
Reflects a sense of maturity and wisdom.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct idiom.
为了提高团队效率，我们必须______各种先进的管理经验。
The context implies a positive, inclusive approach to management.
🎉 Score: /1
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
1 exercises为了提高团队效率，我们必须______各种先进的管理经验。
The context implies a positive, inclusive approach to management.
🎉 Score: /1
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsNo, it's for abstract concepts.
Related Phrases
博采众长
similarDraw on strengths of many.
