眾所周知,中國人樂于發明并善于運用發明來簡化生活。在中國古代的眾多發明中,“四大發明”不僅為中國,而且為世界的經濟和文化發展做出了巨大的貢獻。古代四大發明分別是造紙術、印刷術、火藥(gunpowder)和指南針。四大發明在中國文化里很受推崇,這是由于它們的歷史重要性,它們是中國古代先進科學技術的象征,也是中國作為世界文明大國的重要象征。
It is well-known that the Chinese are interested in inventing things, and they are also good at employing these inventions to simplify their life. Among those numerous inventions in ancient China, the Four Great Inventions have made great contributions to the economic and cultural development of China as well as that of the world. The Four Great Inventions of ancient China are papermaking, printing, gunpowder and the compass. These inventions are highly respected in Chinese culture for their historical significance—they’re signs of ancient China’s advanced science and technology as well as important symbols of China’s role as a great world civilization.