自力更生 (zì lì gēng shēng)

Character breakdown

• 自 (zì) · 6 strokes

  Pictograph of a nose. Original form of 鼻 (nose). In China, when people point to themselves, they typically point to their nose.

• 力 (Lì) · 2 strokes

  Pictograph of a plow, which requires strength to operate.

• 更 (gēng) · 7 strokes

  Depicts using a whip (攴) to control a succession of chariots (丙). 丙 also represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "continue; succession". The meaning later shifted to "further" and "more".

• 生 (shēng) · 5 strokes

  Pictograph of a sprout (屮) emerging from the ground (一).

Usage

我们要自力更生，艰苦奋斗。

regeneration through one's own effort (idiom); self-reliance

wǒ men yào zì lì gēng shēng ， jiān kǔ fèn dòu 。