吐故纳新
Get rid of the stale and take in the fresh
حرفيًا: Exhale the old, inhale the new
Use this phrase to describe a positive, necessary transformation or a fresh start in life or work.
في 15 ثانية
- Letting go of the old to embrace the new.
- Originally a Daoist breathing technique for health and longevity.
- Perfect for New Year's resolutions or organizational changes.
المعنى
It's all about clearing out the old, dusty stuff to make room for something fresh and better. Think of it as a 'life reset'—whether you're cleaning your room, updating your skills, or changing your mindset.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Talking about a New Year's resolution
新的一年，我们要吐故纳新，改掉坏习惯。
In the new year, we should get rid of the old and take in the fresh by quitting bad habits.
A manager discussing company restructuring
公司需要通过吐故纳新来保持竞争力。
The company needs to renew itself to stay competitive.
Cleaning out a messy apartment
把这些旧报纸扔了，家里也该吐故纳新了。
Throw these old newspapers away; the house needs a fresh start.
خلفية ثقافية
The phrase originates from the 'Zhuangzi', a foundational text of Daoism from the 4th century BC. Originally, it described a specific breathing technique used by sages to achieve longevity. Today, it has shifted from a literal health practice to a widespread metaphor for innovation and institutional reform in modern China.
The 'Breathing' Connection
If you ever forget the meaning, just remember it literally means 'breathe out the old, breathe in the new.' It's the rhythm of life!
Don't '吐' People
Avoid using this directly about firing specific individuals in a small group setting; it can sound like you're calling them 'stale air' or 'waste.'
في 15 ثانية
- Letting go of the old to embrace the new.
- Originally a Daoist breathing technique for health and longevity.
- Perfect for New Year's resolutions or organizational changes.
What It Means
At its heart, 吐故纳新 is about the cycle of renewal. It literally describes the act of breathing out stale air and breathing in fresh oxygen. In a broader sense, it applies to anything that needs a refresh. It’s about letting go of what no longer serves you. You use it when a company hires young talent. You use it when you finally throw away those clothes from ten years ago. It’s a positive, forward-looking vibe.
How To Use It
You can use this as a standalone comment or within a sentence. It often functions as a noun or a verb phrase. If you’re talking about a team reorganization, you might say the department is undergoing 吐故纳新. It sounds sophisticated but isn't overly stiff. It’s like saying 'out with the old, in with the new' but with a bit more poetic weight. Just don't use it for things that are supposed to stay old, like antiques or your grandparents!
When To Use It
New Year’s is the ultimate time for this phrase. It’s perfect for resolutions. Use it when you’re talking about personal growth or learning new habits. It’s also great for business contexts. If a company is rebranding or upgrading its tech, this phrase fits perfectly. Use it when you want to sound encouraging about change. It turns a scary 'ending' into a hopeful 'beginning.'
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this for people in a disrespectful way. Don't tell your partner you want to 吐故纳新 your relationship unless you want to be single immediately. It’s also not for small, trivial things. You wouldn't say it about changing a lightbulb. It implies a meaningful transformation. Also, avoid it in very slang-heavy, casual street talk where people just use 'update' or 'change.'
Cultural Background
This phrase actually has roots in ancient Daoist breathing exercises. The ancients believed that physical health depended on literally purging 'turbid' air. Over centuries, it evolved from a medical/spiritual tip into a metaphor for social and organizational progress. It reflects the Chinese philosophical view that change is natural and necessary. It’s not just about discarding; it’s about the balance of giving and receiving.
Common Variations
You might hear people simply say 革故鼎新. That one is much more formal and serious. 吐故纳新 is the more 'breathable' and common version. In modern slang, people might just say 'cì jiù yíng xīn' (辞旧迎新) during the Spring Festival. But 吐故纳新 remains the most versatile for describing a deep, systemic change or a fresh start in life.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is highly versatile across all registers. However, ensure the 'new' being brought in is objectively better or fresher than the 'old' being discarded to maintain the positive connotation.
The 'Breathing' Connection
If you ever forget the meaning, just remember it literally means 'breathe out the old, breathe in the new.' It's the rhythm of life!
Don't '吐' People
Avoid using this directly about firing specific individuals in a small group setting; it can sound like you're calling them 'stale air' or 'waste.'
The Daoist Secret
Ancient Daoists used this phrase to describe a literal exercise to live forever. While we can't promise immortality, using it will definitely make your Chinese sound more 'immortal'!
أمثلة
6新的一年，我们要吐故纳新，改掉坏习惯。
In the new year, we should get rid of the old and take in the fresh by quitting bad habits.
Here it refers to personal self-improvement and habit-breaking.
公司需要通过吐故纳新来保持竞争力。
The company needs to renew itself to stay competitive.
Used here to describe hiring new talent or updating business models.
把这些旧报纸扔了，家里也该吐故纳新了。
Throw these old newspapers away; the house needs a fresh start.
A slightly more literal but still metaphorical use regarding physical space.
剪了短发，感觉整个人都吐故纳新了！
Got a haircut, I feel like a whole new person!
A lighthearted, slightly humorous way to describe a makeover.
放下过去，才能吐故纳新，迎接未来的生活。
Only by letting go of the past can you embrace the new and welcome the future.
Used in a deep, supportive emotional context.
文化的发展需要不断地吐故纳新。
The development of culture requires constant renewal.
Very standard usage in formal academic or political discourse.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the best context for using '吐故纳新'.
为了让团队更有活力，经理决定通过招聘新人来___。
The manager wants to bring in 'new blood' to revitalize the team, which is the perfect scenario for '吐故纳新'.
Which verb best describes the '吐' (tǔ) in this phrase?
在'吐故纳新'这个词里，'吐'的意思是___。
The '吐' refers to exhaling the old air or expelling the stale elements.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 吐故纳新
Talking to friends about a room cleanup.
我的房间该吐故纳新了。
General life advice or self-improvement.
我们要不断吐故纳新。
Corporate strategy or political speeches.
体制改革需要吐故纳新。
Where to use 吐故纳新
Spring Cleaning
Decluttering the garage.
Career Change
Learning a new skill set.
New Year
Setting fresh goals.
HR/Hiring
Bringing in interns.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNot necessarily! While it sounds a bit grand, you can use it for anything from clearing out your email inbox to changing your wardrobe. It just implies a sense of 'refreshing' the system.
Yes, it's very common in business. For example, 我们需要吐故纳新，吸收先进的技术 (We need to renew ourselves and absorb advanced technology).
The 故 refers to old things, old ideas, or old habits. The 新 refers to fresh energy, new people, or modern concepts.
Exactly. It's the Chinese equivalent, but it carries a slightly more elegant, philosophical tone because of its historical roots.
You can use it to describe a person's *state* of mind or their *habits*, but calling a person 故 (old/stale) is quite rude.
It's pronounced 'tǔ gù nà xīn'. Make sure to get those tones right: third, fourth, fourth, and first!
Yes, it is a classic four-character idiom (Chengyu). It follows the standard 2+2 structure common in Chinese literature.
In other contexts, yes. But here it specifically means to exhale or spit out. Don't worry, nobody thinks you're talking about being sick!
It's neutral-to-formal. You can use it in a newspaper article or a casual conversation about self-improvement. It's very versatile.
The opposite would be 故步自封 (gù bù zì fēng), which means being stuck in your old ways and refusing to change.
عبارات ذات صلة
辞旧迎新 (Bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new)
革故鼎新 (To discard the old and establish the new - more formal)
推陈出新 (To weed through the old to bring forth the new)
焕然一新 (To take on a completely new look)
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