Chinese idiom · 成语
发愤图强
Meaning
To resolve to grow strong; to strive after hardship.
Character by character
Origin and story
Literary expressionQing Shi Gao (清史稿), in its biography of Kang Guangren, uses this phrase for the Guangxu emperor’s determination to strengthen the state during the 1898 reforms. The account connects that resolve with taking reform-minded advice and employing new people, then describes the political conflict that ended the reform effort.
This is a documented use of the exact expression, not proof that it was first coined in that episode. 发愤 means rousing oneself to determined effort, while 图强 means seeking strength. The phrase can describe a person or group setting out to improve through hard work; a previous defeat may motivate it but is not required.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
比赛失利后，队员们发愤图强，每周认真复盘和训练。
After losing the match, the team resolved to improve, reviewing their play and training seriously each week.
For determined effort toward improvement, especially after a setback.