shuǐ水waterzhǎng涨risechuán船boatgāo高high
As the water rises, the boat floats higher; to rise with the tide.
Literal meaning
water (水) — rise (涨) — boat (船) — high (高)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing proportional growth or improvement.
Examples
Suí随zhe着jīng经jì济de的fā发zhǎn展，rén人men们de的shēng生huó活shuǐ水píng平yě也shuǐ水zhǎng涨chuáng船āo高。
As the economy develops, people's living standards also rise.
Gōng公sī司de的yè业jì绩shuǐ水zhǎng涨chuáng船āo高。
The company's performance is improving.
Usage & nuances
Describes a situation where progress or improvement is proportional.
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