yǔ shí jù jìn: 与时俱进 - To Keep Pace with the Times, To Advance with the Times

• Keywords: yǔ shí jù jìn, 与时俱进, keep pace with the times, advance with the times, progressive Chinese idiom, modern Chinese vocabulary, Chinese political slogan, business in China, Chinese culture, innovation in China.
• Summary: “Yǔ shí jù jìn” (与时俱进) is a vital modern Chinese idiom that means “to keep pace with the times” or “to advance with the times.” It embodies the spirit of progress, adaptation, and continuous improvement in response to a changing world. A cornerstone of contemporary political and business discourse in China, understanding this term is essential for anyone looking to grasp the country's dynamic approach to development, technology, and social change.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yǔ shí jù jìn
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (四字成语) / Idiom; often functions as a verb or adjective.
• HSK Level: Advanced / HSK 6+ (Not on the official list, but extremely common and important in formal contexts).
• Concise Definition: To evolve and progress in step with the changing era.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine a boat on a river. If the river's current speeds up, the boat must also speed up to make progress. “Yǔ shí jù jìn” is this principle applied to life, business, and society. It's the opposite of being stuck in the past or clinging to outdated methods. It carries a strong positive connotation, praising flexibility, forward-thinking, and a willingness to modernize.

• 与 (yǔ): with; together with; and.
• 时 (shí): time; era; age; period.
• 俱 (jù): all; together; entirely. This character reinforces the idea of moving in complete sync.
• 进 (jìn): to advance; to progress; to move forward.

When combined, “与 (with) 时 (the times) 俱 (together) 进 (advancing)” literally translates to “advancing all together with the times.” The characters create a powerful and unified image of synchronized forward movement.

• “Yǔ shí jù jìn” is more than just an idiom; it's a key piece of modern Chinese political philosophy. It was heavily promoted by former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin in the early 2000s as part of his “Three Represents” theory. It signaled the Communist Party's commitment to adapting its ideology and policies to the new realities of a globalized, market-oriented world. It became a national mantra for reform, innovation, and modernization.
• Comparison to a Western Concept: In the West, we have concepts like “staying current,” “being progressive,” or “innovation.” While similar, “yǔ shí jù jìn” often carries a more collective and national weight. An American tech startup might “disrupt” an industry through individualistic innovation. In contrast, a Chinese state-owned enterprise is encouraged to “yǔ shí jù jìn” to align with national development goals. The Chinese term implies a more structured, harmonious adaptation to a new era, rather than a chaotic disruption of the old one. It reflects a societal value of pragmatic, guided evolution.

• Formal and Official Contexts: This is where the term shines. You will hear and read it constantly in government reports, news broadcasts (especially from state media like CCTV), and speeches by officials. It's used to justify new policies and underscore the nation's progress.
• Business and Corporate World: Companies use “yǔ shí jù jìn” in their mission statements, annual reports, and marketing slogans to signal they are modern, competitive, and forward-thinking. A manager might tell their team, “我们的策略必须与时俱进，才能在市场上保持领先” (Our strategy must keep pace with the times to maintain a leading position in the market).
• Describing Individuals: While formal, it can be used to praise a person's mindset, especially an older person who embraces new technology or ideas. Saying your grandmother uses WeChat and follows online trends is a perfect example of her being “与时俱进”. It's a high compliment suggesting wisdom and open-mindedness.

• Example 1:
  • 企业需要与时俱进，不断创新，才能在竞争中立于不败之地。
  • Pinyin: Qǐyè xūyào yǔ shí jù jìn, bùduàn chuàngxīn, cáinéng zài jìngzhēng zhōng lìyú bùbài zhī dì.
  • English: Enterprises need to keep pace with the times and continuously innovate to remain invincible in the competition.
  • Analysis: This is a classic business context. “Yǔ shí jù jìn” is directly linked to innovation (创新) as a requirement for survival.
• Example 2:
  • 我们的教育理念也应该与时俱进，以适应社会发展的需要。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de jiàoyù lǐniàn yě yīnggāi yǔ shí jù jìn, yǐ shìyìng shèhuì fāzhǎn de xūyào.
  • English: Our educational philosophy should also advance with the times to meet the needs of social development.
  • Analysis: Here, the term is applied to an abstract concept (philosophy) in a formal, societal context.
• Example 3:
  • 我爷爷虽然八十岁了，但思想很与时俱进，还会用智能手机呢！
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yéye suīrán bāshí suì le, dàn sīxiǎng hěn yǔ shí jù jìn, hái huì yòng zhìnéng shǒujī ne!
  • English: Although my grandpa is 80, his thinking is very progressive; he even knows how to use a smartphone!
  • Analysis: This shows the term used to describe a person. It functions as an adjective here (“很与时俱进” - very progressive).
• Example 4:
  • 任何一成不变的规定最终都会因为不能与时俱进而被淘汰。
  • Pinyin: Rènhé yīchéngbùbiàn de guīdìng zuìzhōng dūhuì yīnwèi bùnéng yǔ shí jù jìn ér bèi táotài.
  • English: Any rigid rule will eventually be eliminated because it cannot keep up with the times.
  • Analysis: This example highlights the negative consequence of failing to “yǔ shí jù jìn”.
• Example 5:
  • 作为领导，我们必须有与时俱进的精神。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi lǐngdǎo, wǒmen bìxū yǒu yǔ shí jù jìn de jīngshén.
  • English: As leaders, we must have a spirit of advancing with the times.
  • Analysis: The term is used here as a noun phrase modifier (“与时俱进的精神” - a progressive spirit).
• Example 6:
  • 这家老字号通过与时俱进的改革，重新获得了年轻人的喜爱。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā lǎozìhào tōngguò yǔ shí jù jìn de gǎigé, chóngxīn huòdéle niánqīngrén de xǐ'ài.
  • English: This old, time-honored brand regained the affection of young people through reforms that kept pace with the times.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how “yǔ shí jù jìn” can be the engine for revitalization.
• Example 7:
  • 法律的解释也需要与时俱进，以应对新的社会问题。
  • Pinyin: Fǎlǜ de jiěshì yě xūyào yǔ shí jù jìn, yǐ yìngduì xīn de shèhuì wèntí.
  • English: The interpretation of the law also needs to advance with the times to deal with new social issues.
  • Analysis: This shows the term's application in a highly formal field like jurisprudence.
• Example 8:
  • 公司的营销策略太老旧了，完全没有与时俱进。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de yíngxiāo cèlüè tài lǎojiù le, wánquán méiyǒu yǔ shí jù jìn.
  • English: The company's marketing strategy is too outdated; it hasn't kept up with the times at all.
  • Analysis: A clear, negative example showing the absence of this quality.
• Example 9:
  • 在这个快速变化的时代，与时俱进是每个人都应该具备的能力。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhège kuàisù biànhuà de shídài, yǔ shí jù jìn shì měi ge rén dōu yīnggāi jùbèi de nénglì.
  • English: In this rapidly changing era, keeping pace with the times is an ability that everyone should possess.
  • Analysis: This frames “yǔ shí jù jìn” as a personal skill or capability.
• Example 10:
  • 政府工作报告强调，要坚持改革开放，与时俱进。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ gōngzuò bàogào qiángdiào, yào jiānchí gǎigé kāifàng, yǔ shí jù jìn.
  • English: The government work report emphasized the need to adhere to reform and opening-up, and to advance with the times.
  • Analysis: A quintessential example of its use in official political discourse, paired with another key political term, 改革开放.

• Formality is Key: This is not casual slang. You wouldn't use it to talk about the latest fashion trends with a friend. For that, a word like 时髦 (shímáo - fashionable) is more appropriate. Using “yǔ shí jù jìn” for something trivial would sound overly serious or even sarcastic.
• Deeper than “Trendy”: A common mistake for learners is to equate “yǔ shí jù jìn” with simply “being trendy” or “following fads” (赶时髦 - gǎn shímáo). “Yǔ shí jù jìn” implies a substantive, meaningful adaptation of one's methods, thinking, or strategy, not just a superficial change in appearance.
  • Incorrect: 他买了一件新潮的外套，真是与时俱进。 (He bought a trendy coat, he's really keeping up with the times.) → Sounds strange and overly formal.
  • Correct: 他开始学习编程，真是与时俱进。 (He started learning to code, he's really keeping up with the times.) → This reflects a meaningful adaptation to the modern world.
• Not for Simple Updates: While updating your phone's software is technically “advancing with the times,” this phrase is too grand for such a minor action. It's reserved for significant shifts in strategy, policy, or mindset.

• Antonym: 固步自封 (gù bù zì fēng) - To be complacent and conservative, refusing to move forward. The direct opposite of “yǔ shí jù jìn”.
• The Goal: 现代化 (xiàndàihuà) - Modernization. This is often the ultimate objective of the process of “yǔ shí jù jìn”.
• The Method: 创新 (chuàngxīn) - Innovation. Innovation is a primary means by which an organization or individual can “yǔ shí jù jìn”.
• The Method: 推陈出新 (tuī chén chū xīn) - To weed out the old to bring forth the new. This describes the process of replacing old ideas or methods with new ones.
• The Context: 改革开放 (gǎigé kāifàng) - Reform and Opening-Up. The historical policy that created the environment where “yǔ shí jù jìn” became a national imperative.
• Describes the Environment: 日新月异 (rì xīn yuè yì) - Changing with each passing day and month. Describes the rapid pace of change that makes “yǔ shí jù jìn” necessary.
• The Consequence of Failure: 落后 (luòhòu) - To lag behind; backward. If you fail to “yǔ shí jù jìn”, you will become “luòhòu”.
• Similar Structure: 与日俱增 (yǔ rì jù zēng) - To grow with each passing day. Looks similar, but describes a continuous increase in quantity or degree (e.g., “my interest grows day by day”), not adaptation to the times.