扬长避短

揚長避短

yángcháng-bìduǎn

idiom #50,746

Meanings

1 to play to one's strengths and avoid one's weaknesses
2 to maximize advantages and minimize shortcomings
3 to emphasize the long, sidestep the short

Characters

to raise; make prominent

strengths; long

weaknesses; short

Examples

做事要懂得扬长避短。

Zuòshì yào dǒngde yángchángbìduǎn.

In anything you do, learn to play to your strengths.

这家企业扬长避短，找到了自己的市场。

Zhèjiā qǐyè yángchángbìduǎn, zhǎodào le zìjǐ de shìchǎng.

The company leaned into its strengths and found its niche.

学习外语要扬长避短，选对方法。

Xuéxí wàiyǔ yào yángchángbìduǎn, xuǎn duìfāng fǎ.

In language learning, work with your strengths and pick the right method.

Tips

usage

A strategy-and-planning word — common in management, sports coaching, education, and career advice. Parallels English 'play to your strengths'. Positive register.

memory

扬 = raise/show off, 长 = strong points; 避 = avoid, 短 = weak points. Pair the opposites: raise the long, avoid the short.

Stroke Order

扬 yáng

长 cháng

避 bì

短 duǎn