Definition
后浪推前浪 is a four-character set phrase (成语) that literally means 'the waves behind push the waves ahead'. It is used to describe how each new generation surpasses the previous one, or how new developments overtake the old. You can use it in contexts of progress, innovation, or generational change. It often appears in the longer expression 长江后浪推前浪 (the waves of the Yangtze River behind push the waves ahead).
f.e.
the new excels the oldeach new generation surpasses the previous one
Examples
- 后浪推前浪，。hòu làng tuī qián làng, xiànzài de niánqīng rén bǐ wǒmen dāngnián lìhai duō le.The new excels the old — today's young people are much more capable than we were back then.
- 后浪推前浪，。Kējì fāzhǎn jiù xiàng hòu làng tuī qián làng, xīn chǎnpǐn hěn kuài qǔdài le jiù chǎnpǐn.Technological development is like waves pushing forward — new products quickly replace old ones.
- 后浪推前浪，。Cháng Jiāng hòu làng tuī qián làng, yí dài gèng bǐ yí dài qiáng.The waves of the Yangtze River push ahead — each generation is stronger than the last.
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