利国利民
lì guó lì mín
good for the country and good for the people
Character by character
利lì
benefit
benefit
国guó
country
country
利lì
benefit
benefit
民mín
people
people
Example
修好这条铁路是一件利国利民的大好事。
Building this railway is a great thing for the country and the people alike.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
Official and news language, nearly always before 的 and a noun: 利国利民的工程, 好事, 政策. Its opposite is 劳民伤财 (lesson 4-9), wasting people’s strength and money.
Learn this in Lesson 172 · HSK 7–9: 南水北调 (Sending southern water north)
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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