休养生息 (xiū yǎng shēng xī) — (idiom) to recuperate and recover strength (for a country or group after hardship); to rest and rebuild

Definition

An idiom for a country, organization, or person taking a long rest after hardship to recover strength. Suggests deliberate policy or extended downtime, not casual relaxation.

idiom
to recuperate and recover strength (for a country or group after hardship)to rest and rebuild

Examples

  • ，休养生息。
    Zhàn zhēng jié shù hòu, zhè ge guó jiā kāi shǐ le xiū yǎng shēng xī.
    After the war ended, this country began to recuperate and rebuild.
  • ，休养生息。
    Jīng jì wēi jī shí qī, zhèng fǔ cǎi qǔ xiū yǎng shēng xī zhèng cè.
    During the economic crisis, the government adopted a recuperate-and-rebuild policy.
  • ，，休养生息。
    Gōng zuò tài lèi le, wǒ jué dìng cí qù gōng zuò, hǎo hǎo xiū yǎng shēng xī.
    Work was too tiring; I decided to quit my job and properly recuperate.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

休养rest and recuperate
休xiūrest养yǎngnurture
联合Side by side
生息grow and multiply
生shēnggrow息xīmultiply
联合Side by side

休养 means resting and recuperating, and 生息 means growing and multiplying, together describing rebuilding strength.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

休 pairs 人 (man) with 木 (tree), showing a person leaning against a tree to rest.

Open 休 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 養; 养 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 養 uses 羊 as a sound part and 食 as a meaning part.

Open 养 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

生 shows 屮 (a bud) above 一 (the ground), drawing a sprout coming up from the earth.

Open 生 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

In 息, 自 is nose and 心 is heart, showing breath or life passing through one's nose.

Open 息 →

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