All Idioms
AdvancedChinese Idiom (成语)

与时俱进

yǔ shí jù jìn

To advance together with the times

Meaning: To keep pace with the times; to advance with the times; to move forward with the era; to stay current

Character-by-Character Breakdown

The Story Behind 与时俱进

Source:现代用语
Period:Modern Era (20th Century)

Advancing with the Times

The idiom 与时俱进 became prominent in modern Chinese, particularly in the 20th and 21st centuries.

It emphasizes the importance of keeping pace with the times and not falling behind.

The phrase teaches that progress requires adapting to new developments and trends.

It reflects the value of staying current and continuously improving to match the era.

Original Classical Chinese

与时俱进,开拓创新。

How to Use 与时俱进

This idiom is used to describe keeping pace with the times and advancing with current trends.

It emphasizes the importance of staying current and not falling behind the times.

The idiom is often used to encourage adaptation to new developments or to praise forward-thinking approaches.

When to use:
  • Use when encouraging adaptation to new developments
  • Often used to describe forward-thinking approaches
  • Can be used to emphasize the importance of staying current
Common Mistake

Don't confuse this with simply following trends blindly. It specifically refers to the positive act of keeping pace with the times and advancing appropriately, not just changing for the sake of change.

Example Sentences

1

企业要与时俱进,不断适应市场变化。

Qǐyè yào yǔ shí jù jìn, bùduàn shìyìng shìchǎng biànhuà.

Enterprises need to keep pace with the times and continuously adapt to market changes.

2

教育方法要与时俱进,不能一成不变。

Jiàoyù fāngfǎ yào yǔ shí jù jìn, bù néng yī chéng bù biàn.

Teaching methods need to keep pace with the times and cannot remain unchanged.

3

我们要与时俱进,学习新知识,掌握新技能。

Wǒmen yào yǔ shí jù jìn, xuéxí xīn zhīshì, zhǎngwò xīn jìnéng.

We need to keep pace with the times, learn new knowledge, and master new skills.

Practice Writing

Generate a free printable worksheet with all 4 characters from this idiom.

Generate Worksheet (4 Characters)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 与时俱进 (yǔ shí jù jìn) mean?

与时俱进 literally means "to advance together with the times." Figuratively, it means to keep pace with the times, to advance with the times, to move forward with the era, or to stay current. It emphasizes the importance of not falling behind.

What is the difference between 与时俱进 and 随机应变?

Both idioms describe adaptability, but 与时俱进 refers to keeping pace with the times (adapting to broader trends and developments), while 随机应变 refers to adapting to immediate circumstances (situational flexibility). 与时俱进 is about keeping up with trends, 随机应变 is about responding to situations.

How do you use 与时俱进 in a sentence?

Use 与时俱进 when encouraging adaptation to new developments. For example: "企业要与时俱进,不断适应市场变化" (Enterprises need to keep pace with the times and continuously adapt to market changes).

Is 与时俱进 always positive?

Yes, 与时俱进 is always positive. It's used to encourage keeping pace with the times and advancing appropriately. It emphasizes the value of staying current and continuously improving.

Is 与时俱进 difficult to learn?

与时俱进 is considered intermediate level. It uses characters of varying difficulty (与 HSK2, 时 HSK2, 俱 HSK5, 进 HSK2). The concept is clear and the idiom is very commonly used in modern Chinese.