Definition
物竞天择 is a four-character idiom (成语) encapsulating the principle of natural selection: organisms compete for survival, and the environment selects the fittest. Originally coined by 严复 (Yan Fu) in his translation of Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species', it is now often used metaphorically to describe any competitive environment where only the strongest or most adaptable survive — in business, exams, career, etc.
f.e.
natural selectionsurvival of the fittest (as a biological principle)competition where only the strongest or most adaptable survive (extended metaphorical use)
Examples
- ，物竞天择。Zài jīliè de shìchǎng jìngzhēng zhōng, wù jìng tiān zé de fǎzé wúchù bùzài.In fierce market competition, the principle of survival of the fittest is everywhere.
- 物竞天择。wù jìng tiān zé shì zìránjiè jīběn de guīlǜ zhīyī.Natural selection is one of the fundamental laws of the natural world.
- 物竞天择，。Zhè chǎng kǎoshì jiù xiàng wù jìng tiān zé de suōyǐng, zhǐyǒu zuì nǔlì de rén cáinéng tōngguò.This exam is like a microcosm of survival of the fittest: only the hardest-working can pass.
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