长江后浪推前浪

長江後浪推前浪

chángjiānghòulàngtuīqiánlàng

idiom

Meanings

1 on the Yangtze, the back waves push the front waves
2 each new generation surpasses the last / the new replaces the old

Characters

river (长江 = Yangtze)

front / earlier

Examples

长江后浪推前浪，年轻一代的创造力让人惊叹。

Chángjiāng hòu làng tuī qián làng, niánqīng yī dài de chuàngzàolì ràng rén jīngtàn.

The new waves push the old — the younger generation's creativity is astonishing.

长江后浪推前浪，老员工也要不断学习新技术。

Chángjiāng hòu làng tuī qián làng, lǎo yuángōng yě yào bùduàn xuéxí xīn jìshù.

The new overtakes the old — even veteran employees must keep learning new technology.

Tips

history

Attested in Yuan-dynasty playwright Wang Ziyi's (王子一) 《误入桃源》: 长江后浪推前浪，花呵早则一片西飞一片东 — 'On the Yangtze the back waves push the front, flowers fly this way and that.' Often extended with 世上新人赶旧人 ('in the world, new people overtake the old'). Used encouragingly about generational change.

usage

Frequently completed as 长江后浪推前浪，一代新人换旧人 (or 胜旧人 / 赶旧人). Tone ranges from enthusiastic (celebrating new talent) to rueful (the older generation being sidelined).

Stroke Order

长 cháng

江 jiāng

后 hòu

浪 làng

推 tuī

前 qián