和而不同
hé ér bù tóng
harmony without sameness
Character by character
和hé
in harmony
in harmony
而ér
yet
yet
不bù
not
not
同tóng
the same
the same
Example
朋友之间应该和而不同，不必事事意见一致。
Friends should be in harmony without being the same; they need not agree on everything.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
Confucius: 君子和而不同. Often quoted in diplomacy.
Learn this in Lesson 107 · HSK 7–9: 中美关系与全球化 (China, America and globalisation)
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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