These characters combine to form a clear meaning: `大局 (dàjú)` refers to the “big situation” or “the overall picture.” `为重 (wéi zhòng)` means “acts as the important thing” or “is the priority.” Literally, the phrase translates to: “The big situation is the priority.”
`大局为重` is a cornerstone of Chinese collectivist culture, heavily influenced by Confucian values that prioritize group harmony and social order. While Western cultures, particularly in the United States, often celebrate individualism and the “squeaky wheel that gets the grease,” Chinese culture traditionally values those who can demonstrate maturity and wisdom by subordinating their own needs for the group's benefit. A Western comparison might be the phrase “for the greater good” or the Star Trek maxim, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” However, `大局为重` is more than just a philosophical ideal; it's a practical, everyday social tool. It's used to manage conflict, enforce decisions, and maintain stability. An employee might be asked to work overtime without complaint for the sake of a major project, a child might be told to apologize to a cousin to keep family peace—both under the guiding principle of `大局为重`. It reflects a worldview where the individual is a single piece in a complex game of Go (围棋 - wéiqí), and the most important goal is not the success of one piece, but the victory of the entire board.
This idiom is highly versatile and used in both formal and informal settings.
The connotation is generally positive, implying wisdom and selflessness. However, it can sometimes be used to pressure individuals into silence or to dismiss legitimate concerns by framing them as selfish.