破旧立新 Break with the past and embrace the new
Explanation
破除旧的，建立新的。指革除旧的、落后的东西，建立新的、先进的事物。
To break down the old and establish the new. It refers to getting rid of the old and backward things and establishing new and advanced things.
Origin Story
在一个古老的村庄里，世代居住着以种植水稻为生的村民。他们沿用着祖辈传下来的耕作方式，虽然产量不高，却也勉强维持生计。然而，一场突如其来的洪水冲毁了村庄的大部分田地，村民们陷入了困境。这时，一位年轻的村民，他从小就阅读书籍，了解到先进的农业技术。他向村民们建议，抛弃传统的耕作方法，引进新的水稻品种和科学的种植技术。起初，村民们对他的建议表示怀疑，他们担心新的方法行不通，会让他们的生活更加艰难。然而，这位年轻的村民没有放弃，他用自己的实际行动向村民们证明了新技术的优越性。他带领大家学习新技术，并亲自示范如何使用新的工具和方法。在他的努力下，村民们逐渐接受了他的建议，并在新的耕作方式下获得了丰收。新的水稻品种产量高，抗病虫害能力强，大大提高了村民们的收入和生活水平。村庄也焕然一新，变得更加繁荣富强。
In an ancient village, generations of villagers lived by cultivating rice. They used the farming methods passed down from their ancestors, which, though not highly productive, allowed them to barely make ends meet. However, a sudden flood destroyed most of the village's rice fields, plunging the villagers into hardship. At this time, a young villager who had read extensively and learned about advanced agricultural techniques suggested that they abandon traditional farming methods and adopt new rice varieties and scientific cultivation techniques. At first, the villagers were skeptical of his suggestion, fearing that the new methods would not work and would make their lives even harder. However, this young villager did not give up. He demonstrated the superiority of the new technologies with his own actions. He led everyone in learning new techniques and personally demonstrated how to use new tools and methods. Through his efforts, the villagers gradually accepted his suggestion and achieved a bumper harvest under the new cultivation methods. The new rice varieties were high-yielding, resistant to pests and diseases, and significantly increased the villagers' income and living standards. The village was also transformed, becoming more prosperous and thriving.
Usage
常用作谓语、定语；多用于思想、观念、体制等方面。
Often used as predicate and attributive; mostly used in aspects of thought, ideas, systems, etc.
Examples
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为了适应时代发展的需求，公司决定破旧立新，淘汰落后设备。
wèile shìyìng shídài fāzhǎn de xūqiú, gōngsī juédìng pòjiùlìxīn, táotài luòhòu shèbèi。
To meet the needs of a changing world, the company decided to break with the past and embrace new technology.
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他主张破旧立新，改革传统教育体制。
tā zhǔzhāng pòjiùlìxīn, gǎigé chuántǒng jiàoyù tǐzhì。
He advocated breaking with the old and establishing the new, reforming the traditional education system。