The term 宏大 (hóngdà) resonates deeply with both historical and modern Chinese culture, which has long valued large-scale thinking and collective endeavors. From the construction of the Great Wall and the Grand Canal in ancient times to modern marvels like the Three Gorges Dam and the Belt and Road Initiative, there is a cultural appreciation for projects of 宏大 vision. A useful comparison for Western learners is to contrast 宏大 with the English word “ambitious.” While an individual's career plan can be “ambitious,” that word often focuses on personal achievement. 宏大, on the other hand, is more frequently applied to collective goals, national plans, architectural wonders, or artistic works that affect or represent a larger group. It speaks to a value system that often prioritizes long-term, large-scale, collective progress and legacy. The concept of a “宏大叙事” (hóngdà xùshì), or “grand narrative,” is also central to how history and national identity are often framed.
宏大 is a formal and evocative adjective used in a variety of modern contexts to express admiration for scale and vision.