博采众长
bó cǎi zhòng cháng
to draw on the strengths of many
Character by character
博bó
widely
widely
采cǎi
gather
gather
众zhòng
many
many
长cháng
strengths
strengths
Example
这位厨师博采众长，把南方菜和北方菜的做法结合在了一起。
This chef draws on many traditions and has combined the methods of southern and northern cooking.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
长 here is cháng, “strength, strong point”, as in 取长补短, not zhǎng. Often in the full form 博采众长，自成一家: take the best from everyone and form a style of your own.
Learn this in Lesson 101 · HSK 6–7: 月球上的中国名字 (Chinese names on the Moon)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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