Chinese idiom · 成语
博采众长
Meaning
To gather widely from others’ strengths; eclectic learning.
Character by character
Origin and story
Conventional expressionThe expression describes selecting useful strengths from many people or traditions, rather than following only one model. Its components emphasize breadth, thoughtful selection, and the particular merits others can offer. The sources checked confirm this established usage but do not establish a specific ancient origin or a founding anecdote.
The emphasis is on learning selectively: someone need not accept every part of another person's approach to benefit from its strengths. The phrase can describe study across artistic traditions or the development of a method informed by several people's expertise. It does not require abandoning one's own judgment or combining everything indiscriminately.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
学习摄影要博采众长，再慢慢形成自己的风格。
When learning photography, draw on many people's strengths and gradually develop your own style.
Approving: selective learning from different sources, not indiscriminate copying.