百家争鸣
A hundred schools of thought contend
Wörtlich: Hundred (百) families (家) contend/compete (争) chirp/cry out (鸣)
Use it to describe a vibrant environment where diverse ideas are actively and healthily debated.
In 15 Sekunden
- Diverse ideas competing and flourishing together.
- Originates from ancient China's greatest philosophical era.
- Used for business, art, and intellectual debates.
Bedeutung
It describes a situation where many different ideas and opinions are being shared and debated freely. Think of it as a 'brainstorming session on steroids' where everyone feels empowered to speak their mind.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Describing a new tech market
现在的智能手机市场真是百家争鸣。
The current smartphone market is truly a case of a hundred schools of thought contending.
Discussing a lively dinner debate
昨晚的聚会上，大家对这个问题百家争鸣，非常有意思。
At last night's party, everyone had different opinions on this issue; it was very interesting.
In a formal academic report
学术界就此话题展开了百家争鸣的讨论。
The academic community has launched a wide-ranging debate on this topic.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Originating from the Warring States period (475–221 BC), this phrase refers to the 'Hundred Schools of Thought.' It was a time of incredible social upheaval that birthed Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism. Today, it is often invoked by the government or organizations to encourage innovation and diverse viewpoints.
The 'Flower' Connection
If you want to sound like a pro, pair it with `百花齐放` (bǎihuā qífàng). It makes you sound very cultured and emphasizes both variety and debate.
Don't use for arguments
If two people are just shouting at each other about who washed the dishes, this is too 'grand' a phrase. It's for ideas, not chores.
In 15 Sekunden
- Diverse ideas competing and flourishing together.
- Originates from ancient China's greatest philosophical era.
- Used for business, art, and intellectual debates.
What It Means
百家争鸣 describes a vibrant atmosphere of intellectual freedom. It is when many different voices compete to be heard. You can use it for a lively dinner debate. You can also use it for a booming tech industry. It implies that diversity of thought is actually happening. It is not just one person talking. It is a symphony of different perspectives.
How To Use It
Use it as a noun or a descriptive phrase. You can say a field is in a state of 百家争鸣. It often follows words like 'presents a scene of' (呈现出...的局面). It sounds sophisticated but isn't overly stiff. It suggests you value the chaos of many ideas. It is perfect for describing a creative boom. Use it when you see a market with many competitors.
When To Use It
Use it in a business meeting about new strategies. Use it when discussing the latest trends in art. It works well when your group of friends can't agree on a movie. It shows you appreciate the variety of opinions. It is great for academic settings too. If a comment section is full of unique theories, this is your phrase. It turns a potential argument into a 'cultural phenomenon.'
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if everyone is saying the same thing. That is the opposite of this phrase. Avoid it if the 'contending' is just people screaming insults. It implies a level of intellectual or creative substance. Don't use it for a physical fight. It is about ideas, not fists. If only two people are talking, 'a hundred' is a bit of an exaggeration. Keep it for groups or industries.
Cultural Background
This phrase goes back 2,500 years to the Spring and Autumn period. It was China’s 'Golden Age' of philosophy. Great thinkers like Confucius and Laozi were all traveling around. They were trying to convince kings of their ideas. It was a time of total intellectual chaos and brilliance. Without this period, Chinese culture wouldn't be what it is today. It represents the ultimate 'free market' of the mind.
Common Variations
Sometimes you will see it paired with 百花齐放 (a hundred flowers bloom). Together, they mean 'let a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend.' This combo is the ultimate way to describe a flourishing culture. On its own, 百家争鸣 focuses more on the debate and the 'voice' part. You might also hear people just say 争鸣 in academic contexts. It means 'to engage in academic debate.'
Nutzungshinweise
The phrase is formal but highly versatile. It carries a tone of 'intellectual vibrancy.' Be careful not to use it for trivial physical conflicts; it must involve the expression of ideas or styles.
The 'Flower' Connection
If you want to sound like a pro, pair it with `百花齐放` (bǎihuā qífàng). It makes you sound very cultured and emphasizes both variety and debate.
Don't use for arguments
If two people are just shouting at each other about who washed the dishes, this is too 'grand' a phrase. It's for ideas, not chores.
The Mao Connection
In the 1950s, this phrase was used in a famous political campaign. While its roots are ancient, many older Chinese people associate it with that specific historical moment.
Beispiele
6现在的智能手机市场真是百家争鸣。
The current smartphone market is truly a case of a hundred schools of thought contending.
Describes a market with many innovative competitors.
昨晚的聚会上，大家对这个问题百家争鸣，非常有意思。
At last night's party, everyone had different opinions on this issue; it was very interesting.
Uses the phrase to frame a friendly disagreement as intellectual depth.
学术界就此话题展开了百家争鸣的讨论。
The academic community has launched a wide-ranging debate on this topic.
Standard formal usage in a professional setting.
群里现在百家争鸣，都在猜结局呢！
The group chat is exploding with different theories about the ending!
Hyperbolic and slightly informal use for a chatty group.
我们家商量去哪儿旅游时，简直是百家争鸣。
When my family discusses where to go on vacation, it's like a hundred schools of thought contending.
Using a grand historical term for a mundane family squabble.
那是一个百家争鸣的时代，诞生了无数大师。
That was an era of intellectual freedom that gave birth to countless masters.
Used with a sense of nostalgia and respect.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best context for using the phrase.
互联网行业的发展呈现出___的态势。
The internet industry involves many competing companies and ideas, making it the perfect fit.
Which word best completes the meaning of '鸣' in this phrase?
‘鸣’ 在这里的意思是 ___。
In this context, '鸣' refers to expressing one's voice or opinions.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 百家争鸣
Used jokingly about a noisy group of friends.
你们真是百家争鸣啊！
Describing a diverse market or trend.
设计界百家争鸣。
Academic or political discourse.
倡导百家争鸣的学术氛围。
Where to use 百家争鸣
Tech Industry
New startups competing
Art Gallery
Different styles of painting
Boardroom
Brainstorming session
History Class
Ancient philosophies
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot literally. In Chinese, 'hundred' (百) often just means 'many' or 'all kinds of.' It refers to the various philosophical schools of ancient China.
Generally positive! It implies a healthy, vibrant environment where people aren't afraid to share different views, like in 学术上的百家争鸣 (academic contention).
Not really. It's specifically for 'voices' and 'thoughts.' For sports, you'd use something like 龙争虎斗 (dragon and tiger fighting).
It's a bit high-level (C1), but you can use it ironically with friends to describe a loud debate about where to eat dinner.
It often follows 呈现 (chéngxiàn - to present) or 形成 (xíngchéng - to form), as in 形成了百家争鸣的局面.
Yes! It's very common in business news to describe an industry with many competing players, like the EV market.
No, the focus is on the *process* of everyone speaking out, not necessarily on one idea winning in the end.
An argument (争吵) is often personal or emotional. 百家争鸣 is about 'contending' through ideas and intellectual positions.
Yes, it is frequently used to describe a policy of encouraging different artistic and scientific viewpoints.
If you are talking about the different genres and styles being represented, then yes, it fits perfectly!
Verwandte Redewendungen
百花齐放
A hundred flowers bloom (diversity in art/culture)
各抒己见
Everyone expresses their own view
众说纷纭
Opinions vary widely (often implies confusion)
见仁见智
Different people have different views
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