继往开来
jì wǎng kāi lái
to carry on the past and open up the future
Character by character
继jì
carry on
carry on
往wǎng
past
past
开kāi
open
open
来lái
future
future
Example
这次大会是一次继往开来的大会，为今后五年确定了方向。
This congress both carried on the past and opened the way ahead, setting the direction for the next five years.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
From 朱熹’s preface to his commentary on the 《中庸》 (继往圣、开来学: carrying on the sages and opening the way for later learners). A favourite of speeches, anniversaries and editorials: 继往开来的新征程, 继往开来，再创辉煌.
Learn this in Lesson 200 · HSK 7–9: 五年规划怎样做成 (How a five-year plan is made)
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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