发愤图强

• Pinyin: fā fèn tú qiáng
• Hanzi breakdown: 发 = 弓 + 殳 — to release, give rise to; 愤 = 忄(heart) + 贲 (rushing/surging) — surging indignation in the heart; 图 = enclosure radical + 啚 — to plan, scheme, strive for; 强 = 弓 (bow) + 虫 (insect/creature) — strong, powerful

Meaning

To rouse oneself to strive for strength and success; to work with fierce determination to achieve excellence. An idiom expressing the will to overcome weakness through relentless effort.

A four-character chengyu with patriotic and motivational connotations. Frequently used in political speeches, educational contexts, and inspirational writing. Describes both individual and collective resolve to rise through hard work after hardship.

Examples

1. 那段屈辱的历史激励着一代又一代的中国人发愤图强，以实际行动推动国家的繁荣与复兴。 That humiliating chapter of history has inspired generation after generation of Chinese people to strive for strength and progress, advancing the nation’s prosperity and renewal through real action.
2. 面对国际科技竞争的严峻局面，这所高校的科研团队决心发愤图强，加快核心技术的自主研发步伐。 Facing an increasingly intense global competition in science and technology, this university’s research team is determined to push themselves harder and accelerate independent R&D of core technologies.
3. 年轻时的困顿与挫折并没有击垮他，反而成为他日后发愤图强、开创事业的原始动力。 Hardship and setbacks in his youth didn’t break him; instead, they became the original driving force behind his later determination to improve himself and build a career.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, education, inspiration, history

Tone: resolute

Do Say

• 校长回顾学校发愤图强、为国育才的传统，并激励学生继承。(The president recalled the school's tradition of striving to grow stronger and train talent for the nation.)
• 改革开放以来，中国人民以发愤图强精神取得瞩目成就。(Since reform and opening-up, the Chinese people have achieved remarkable progress through determined striving.)

Don't Say

• 我今天发愤图强去健身房了 — 发愤图强 denotes sustained, weighty resolve in the face of serious adversity and is too grand for trivial daily routines; use 努力锻炼 or 坚持健身 for everyday fitness dedication

Origin & History

发愤 (to rouse indignation/resolve) + 图强 (to strive for strength) — to channel righteous indignation into a determined drive for self-improvement and national strength

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal