学以致用 (xué yǐ zhì yòng) — (idiom) to study for the purpose of application; to put what one learns into practice

Definition

A four-character idiom meaning 'study in order to apply': learn something, then use it. Emphasizes practical use of knowledge, not just theoretical learning.

idiom
to study for the purpose of applicationto put what one learns into practice

Examples

  • 学以致用，。
    Wǒ men xué xí zhī shi yào xué yǐ zhì yòng, bù néng zhī tíng liú zài shū běn shàng.
    When we learn knowledge, we must put it into practice, not just stay on the books.
  • 学以致用，。
    Tā cóng xiǎo jiù yǒu xué yǐ zhì yòng de hǎo xí guàn, suǒ yǐ jìn bù hěn kuài.
    He has had the good habit of applying what he learns since childhood, so he improves quickly.
  • ，学以致用。
    Dà xué jiào yù bù jǐn yào chuán shòu zhī shi, gèng yào yǐn dǎo xué shēng xué yǐ zhì yòng.
    University education should not only impart knowledge but also guide students to apply what they learn.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 學; 学 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 學 may have used 爻 and 六 for sound, with hands and a child added later; the simplified 学 is a shorthand.

Open 学 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape came from a drawing of a person carrying something; in 以, part of that person is still visible on the right.

Open 以 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
攵Written in full as攴pū
Sound part声符shēngfú
至
至zhì致zhì
Same sound today

致 pairs 至, used for its sound, with 攵, written in full as 攴.

Open 致 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

用 was formed by adding a handle to an earlier form.

Open 用 →

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