gùquándàjú: 顾全大局 - To Prioritize the Bigger Picture

• Keywords: gùquándàjú, gu quan da ju, 顾全大局, 顾全大局 meaning, Chinese idiom for big picture, see the big picture Chinese, prioritize the greater good, Chinese collectivism, team player in Chinese, sacrifice for the group.
• Summary: The Chinese idiom 顾全大局 (gùquándàjú) means to prioritize the bigger picture or the greater good, often requiring personal sacrifice for a collective goal. More than just “seeing the big picture,” this term embodies the cultural virtue of putting the needs of the group, company, or country before one's own. Understanding gùquándàjú is essential for grasping the concept of collectivism in Chinese culture and navigating professional and social situations where group harmony is paramount.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): gù quán dà jú
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (Idiom) / Verb Phrase
• HSK Level: Advanced / HSK 6+ (Not on official lists, but common in formal contexts)
• Concise Definition: To take the overall situation into account and prioritize the collective interest.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine you're on a team with a critical deadline. Your boss asks you to cancel your weekend plans to help finish the project. The act of agreeing, knowing that the team's success is more important than your personal plans, is the essence of 顾全大局. It's about being a selfless team player on a grand scale, a quality highly valued in Chinese society.

• 顾 (gù): To look after; to consider; to take into account.
• 全 (quán): Whole; entire; complete.
• 大 (dà): Big; large; great.
• 局 (jú): Situation; state of affairs (from 局势, júshì).

When combined, the characters literally translate to “Consider the Complete Big Situation.” This structure clearly shows the idiom's focus: one must look beyond their own small part and act in the interest of the whole.

顾全大局 is a cornerstone of Chinese collectivist culture. It reflects a deep-seated belief that the well-being and stability of the group—be it the family, the company, or the nation—supersedes the desires of the individual. A useful Western comparison is the phrase “to be a team player” or “to take one for the team.” However, there's a crucial difference in weight and expectation. In the West, being a “team player” is often a strategic choice for personal or team success. 顾全大局, on the other hand, is considered a moral virtue, a mark of maturity and selflessness. It is not just a strategy but a social and ethical obligation. This concept is rooted in Confucian values that emphasize social harmony (和谐, héxié) and proper social roles. An individual who can 顾全大局 is seen as wise and dependable, someone who contributes to stability rather than creating conflict for personal gain. This is why it's so frequently heard in political speeches and corporate meetings; it's a call for unity and shared purpose.

This is a formal idiom, most often used in serious contexts. You won't typically hear it when deciding where to eat dinner, but you will encounter it in the workplace, in news reports, and during serious family discussions.

• In Business and the Workplace: A manager might praise an employee who worked long hours on a difficult project by saying they “懂得顾全大局” (dǒngde gùquándàjú - know how to prioritize the bigger picture). It can also be used to persuade someone to accept an undesirable task for the good of the company.
• In Politics and Diplomacy: This phrase is ubiquitous. Leaders are constantly expected to 顾全大局 when making national policies or negotiating with other countries, putting the nation's long-term interests first.
• In Personal Relationships: In a family argument, an elder might advise a younger person to 顾全大局 to maintain family harmony, even if they feel they are right. It's a call to let go of a personal grievance for the sake of peace.

The connotation is almost always positive, praising a person's wisdom and selflessness. However, it can sometimes be used to apply pressure on someone, making them feel selfish if they don't comply.

• Example 1:
  • 为了团队的成功，我们都应该顾全大局，暂时放下个人分歧。
  • Pinyin: Wèile tuánduì de chénggōng, wǒmen dōu yīnggāi gùquándàjú, zànshí fàngxià gèrén fēnqí.
  • English: For the success of the team, we should all prioritize the bigger picture and temporarily set aside our personal differences.
  • Analysis: A classic workplace example. The speaker is calling for unity and reminding everyone that the team's goal is more important than individual disagreements.
• Example 2:
  • 领导者必须要有顾全大局的眼光，不能只看眼前利益。
  • Pinyin: Lǐngdǎozhě bìxū yào yǒu gùquándàjú de yǎnguāng, bùnéng zhǐ kàn yǎnqián lìyì.
  • English: A leader must have the vision to consider the overall situation and not just focus on immediate benefits.
  • Analysis: This sentence treats 顾全大局 as a quality or a type of “vision” (眼光, yǎnguāng) essential for good leadership.
• Example 3:
  • 在这次谈判中，双方都表现出了顾全大局的精神。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhè cì tánpàn zhōng, shuāngfāng dōu biǎoxiàn chūle gùquándàjú de jīngshén.
  • English: In this negotiation, both sides demonstrated a spirit of prioritizing the greater good.
  • Analysis: Used in a formal, diplomatic context. It praises both parties for being willing to compromise for a mutually beneficial outcome.
• Example 4:
  • 虽然你觉得不公平，但希望你能顾全大局，接受公司的安排。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán nǐ juéde bù gōngpíng, dàn xīwàng nǐ néng gùquándàjú, jiēshòu gōngsī de ānpái.
  • English: Although you may feel it's unfair, I hope you can consider the big picture and accept the company's arrangement.
  • Analysis: This example shows how the phrase can be used to persuade or apply gentle pressure. The implication is that refusing would be selfish.
• Example 5:
  • 他为了顾全大局，主动放弃了这次晋升的机会。
  • Pinyin: Tā wèile gùquándàjú, zhǔdòng fàngqìle zhè cì jìnshēng de jīhuì.
  • English: In order to prioritize the overall situation, he voluntarily gave up this opportunity for promotion.
  • Analysis: This highlights the element of personal sacrifice inherent in the term. He put the team's or company's stability before his own career advancement.
• Example 6:
  • 妈妈总是教导我们，家人之间要懂得顾全大局，不要斤斤计较。
  • Pinyin: Māma zǒngshì jiàodǎo wǒmen, jiārén zhījiān yào dǒngde gùquándàjú, búyào jīnjīnjìjiào.
  • English: Mom always taught us that among family members, we must know how to look after the general interest and not squabble over minor things.
  • Analysis: A good example of its use in a family context. Here, it's contrasted with 斤斤计较 (jīnjīnjìjiào), which means being petty.
• Example 7:
  • 一个成熟的人，懂得在关键时刻顾全大局。
  • Pinyin: Yí ge chéngshú de rén, dǒngde zài guānjiàn shíkè gùquándàjú.
  • English: A mature person knows how to prioritize the big picture at critical moments.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly links the ability to 顾全大局 with maturity, framing it as a desirable personal trait.
• Example 8:
  • 在国家利益面前，任何个人得失都应该以顾全大局为重。
  • Pinyin: Zài guójiā lìyì miànqián, rènhé gèrén déshī dōu yīnggāi yǐ gùquándàjú wéi zhòng.
  • English: In the face of national interest, all personal gains and losses should be secondary to prioritizing the overall situation.
  • Analysis: This is a very formal and patriotic usage, often found in state media or political discourse. It clearly states the hierarchy: nation over individual.
• Example 9:
  • 他这个人缺乏顾全大局的意识，做事只考虑自己。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhège rén quēfá gùquándàjú de yìshí, zuòshì zhǐ kǎolǜ zìjǐ.
  • English: This person lacks an awareness of the bigger picture; he only thinks of himself when he does things.
  • Analysis: A negative example showing the absence of this quality. It's a strong criticism, implying the person is selfish and short-sighted.
• Example 10:
  • 为了项目的顺利进行，我愿意顾全大局，承担更多的工作。
  • Pinyin: Wèile xiàngmù de shùnlì jìnxíng, wǒ yuànyì gùquándàjú, chéngdān gèng duō de gōngzuò.
  • English: For the project to proceed smoothly, I am willing to act for the greater good and take on more work.
  • Analysis: A proactive use of the phrase. The speaker is volunteering to make a sacrifice, framing their action as a noble contribution to the collective goal.

• False Friend: “See the big picture”

The most common mistake for English speakers is to equate 顾全大局 with “seeing the big picture.” While related, “seeing the big picture” is often a passive act of understanding or strategic thinking. 顾全大局 is an active verb phrase that implies taking action and making a sacrifice based on that understanding. You don't just see the big picture; you serve it.

• Incorrect Usage: Trivializing the “Big Situation” (大局)

This idiom requires a genuinely important “overall situation.” Using it for minor issues sounds sarcastic or ridiculous.

• Incorrect: 为了让大家都能吃到披萨，你应该顾全大局，只拿一小块。 (To make sure everyone gets pizza, you should prioritize the greater good and only take a small slice.)
• Why it's wrong: Eating pizza is not a “大局” (big situation). The phrase is too heavy and formal for this context. A simpler phrase like “为大家着想” (wèi dàjiā zhuóxiǎng - be considerate of everyone) would be appropriate.

• 大局为重 (dà jú wéi zhòng) - A very close synonym, meaning “the overall situation is what matters most.” Often used interchangeably.
• 委曲求全 (wěi qū qiú quán) - To compromise for the sake of the bigger picture, even while feeling wronged or suffering an injustice. It highlights the personal cost of 顾全大局.
• 高瞻远瞩 (gāo zhān yuǎn zhǔ) - To be visionary; to see far and wide. This describes the ability to see the big picture, whereas 顾全大局 is the action of prioritizing it.
• 斤斤计较 (jīn jīn jì jiào) - An antonymic concept. To haggle over every detail; to be petty. Someone who is 斤斤计较 is incapable of 顾全大局.
• 个人主义 (gèrén zhǔyì) - Individualism. The core philosophical concept that stands in contrast to the collectivist spirit of 顾全大局.
• 舍己为人 (shě jǐ wèi rén) - To sacrifice oneself for others. A more extreme and altruistic version of the principle behind 顾全大局.
• 深谋远虑 (shēn móu yuǎn lǜ) - Deeply considered and far-sighted. Like 高瞻远瞩, this is about the wisdom required to understand the 大局.