What is an accurate translation of 自立自强? I encountered the sentence 儿子说，他下定决心要自立自强 in the HSK6 Coursera course; week 4 第16课.  However, CC-CEDICT's entry for 自立自强 is:

自立自強 自立自强 [zi4 li4 zi4 qiang2] /to strive for self-improvement/

But some example sentences (YouDao; Jukuu) translate it to &quot;self-reliance&quot;, which gives me the impression that CC-CEDICT's definition is inaccurate.  E.g.:

在家庭中，孩子从小就被灌输自立自强的观念。
In the household, young kids are imbued with concept of self-reliance.

Question: What is an accurate translation of 自立自强?
I expect its precise meaning is simply the sum of its parts: &quot;self-reliance 自立 and self-improvement 自强&quot;, but maybe there's more to this (e.g., multiple meanings).
Question: What is an accurate translation of 自立自强?
I expect its precise meaning is simply the sum of its parts

Yes, it is simply the sum of its parts
自立 - hold oneself up = self-reliance
自强 - strengthen oneself = self-strengthen
If you are independent, you wouldn't need to beg for other's help
If you are strong, you wouldn't be afraid of other's hinder or assault
It fit perfectly into China's nationalistic ideal

自立自強 自立自强 [zi4 li4 zi4 qiang2] /to strive for self-improvement

To make oneself more self-reliant and stronger is to improve oneself