他山之石可以攻玉 tā shān zhī shí kě yǐ gōng yù

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. the other mountain's stone can polish jade (idiom); to improve oneself by accepting criticism from outside
  2. to borrow talent from abroad to develop the nation effectively

CHARACTERS

他 tā
HSK 1
other, another; he, she, it
山 shān
HSK 3
mountain, hill, peak
之 zhī
HSK 4
marks preceding phrase as modifier of following phrase; it, him her, them; go to
石 shí
HSK 5
stone, rock, mineral; rad. 112
可 kě
HSK 2
may, can, -able; possibly
以 yǐ
HSK 2
by means of; thereby, therefore; consider as; in order to
攻 gōng
HSK 6
attack, assault; criticize
玉 yù
HSK 5
jade, precious stone, gem