多难兴邦 Duō Nàn Xīng Bāng Adversity builds a nation

Explanation

这个成语的意思是说，国家经历了多次灾难和苦难，只要能够在这些磨难中激发人民的斗志和团结精神，就能使国家变得更加强大。

This idiom means that a country that has experienced many disasters and hardships can become stronger if it succeeds in inspiring people's fighting spirit and unity.

Origin Story

春秋时期，晋国和楚国是当时两个强大的国家，经常发生战争。楚灵王一心想要称霸中原，于是派人邀请晋平公参加诸侯盟会。晋平公起初不愿意去，但他的一位大臣司马侯却劝他前往。司马侯分析说：楚国虽然强大，但它也经历过很多灾难，正因为如此，楚国人民更加团结，国力也更加强盛。我们晋国虽然现在国力强盛，但如果一味骄傲自满，不居安思危，将来难免会遭遇灾难。因此，我们应该以史为鉴，主动出击，展示我们的实力，让楚国明白我们的实力，才能更好维护我们的利益。晋平公听从了司马侯的建议，最终参加了诸侯盟会，维护了晋国的利益。

chūnqiū shíqī, jìn guó hé chǔ guó shì dāngshí liǎng ge qiáng dà de guójiā, jīngcháng fāshēng zhànzhēng. chǔ líng wáng yīxīn xiǎng yào chēngbà zhōngyuán, yúshì pài rén yāoqǐng jìn píng gōng cānjiā zhūhóu méng huì. jìn píng gōng qǐchū bù yuànyì qù, dàn tā de yī wèi dà chén sīmǎ hóu què quàn tā qiánwǎng. sīmǎ hóu fēnxī shuō: chǔ guó suīrán qiángdà, dàn tā yě jīnglì guò hěn duō zāinàn, zhèng yīnwèi rúcǐ, chǔ guó rénmín gèngjiā tuánjié, guólì yě gèngjiā qiángshèng. wǒmen jìn guó suīrán xiànzài guólì qiángshèng, dàn rúguǒ yīwèi jiāo'āo zìmǎn, bù jū'ān sīwēi, jiānglái nánmiǎn huì zāoyù zāinàn. yīncǐ, wǒmen yīnggāi yǐ shǐ wéi jiàn, zhǔdòng chūjī, zhǎnshì wǒmen de shí lì, ràng chǔ guó míngbái wǒmen de shí lì, cáinéng gèng hǎo wéihù wǒmen de lìyì. jìn píng gōng tīngcóng le sīmǎ hóu de jiànyì, zuìzhōng cānjiā le zhūhóu méng huì, wéihù le jìn guó de lìyì.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, the states of Jin and Chu were two powerful states, frequently engaging in wars. King Ling of Chu, aspiring to dominate China, sent envoys to invite Duke Ping of Jin to a meeting of feudal lords. Duke Ping initially hesitated, but one of his ministers, Sima Hou, persuaded him to attend. Sima Hou analyzed: "Although Chu is powerful, it has also experienced many disasters. Because of this, the people of Chu are more united, and their national strength is even greater. While our state of Jin is now strong, if we become complacent and do not prepare for danger in times of peace, we will inevitably face disasters in the future. Therefore, we should learn from history, take the initiative, and demonstrate our strength, so that Chu understands our power and we can better protect our interests."

Usage

用于形容国家或民族在经历了重大挫折和困难之后，能够发奋图强，最终走向兴盛繁荣。

yòng yú xíngróng guójiā huò mínzú zài jīnglì le zhòngdà cuòzé hé kùnnan zhīhòu, nénggòu fāfèn túqiáng, zuìzhōng zǒuxiàng xīngshèng fánróng

Used to describe how a country or nation, after experiencing major setbacks and difficulties, strives to become stronger and eventually achieves prosperity and flourishing.

Examples

• 经历了这么多磨难，国家最终还是兴盛起来了，真是多难兴邦啊！

  jīng lì le zhème duō mónan, guójiā zuìzhōng háishì xīngshèng qǐláile, zhēnshi duō nàn xīng bāng a!

  After so many hardships, the country finally prospered again. It really is true that adversity builds a nation!

• 面对困境，我们不能灰心丧气，要相信多难兴邦的道理，勇敢地克服困难。

  miàn duì kùnjìng, wǒmen bù néng huīxīn sàngqì, yào xiāngxìn duō nàn xīng bāng de dàolǐ, yǒnggǎn de kèfú kùnnan

  In the face of adversity, we cannot be discouraged. We must believe in the truth that adversity builds a nation and bravely overcome difficulties.

Related Idioms

• 苦难

• 磨难

• 兴盛

Opposite Idioms

• 安居乐业

• 太平盛世