张弛有度
zhāng chí yǒu dù
knowing when to tighten and when to relax
Character by character
张zhāng
tighten
tighten
弛chí
loosen
loosen
有yǒu
have
have
度dù
measure
measure
Example
好的老师管学生张弛有度，该严的时候严，该放松的时候放松。
A good teacher knows when to be strict with pupils and when to ease off.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
From the bowstring: in the 《礼记·杂记下》 Confucius says that tightening and slackening the string in turn, 一张一弛, was the way of the wise kings Wen and Wu. Praises a rhythm of pressure and rest in work, study, management, writing or policy.
Learn this in Lesson 190 · HSK 7–9: 央行降息了 (The central bank cuts rates)
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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