安土重迁
安土重迁 (ān tǔ zhòng qiān) literally means “content with soil, reluctant to move” and expresses “prefer stability; reluctant to relocate”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: an tu zhong qian, an tu zhong qian,安土重迁 meaning, 安土重迁 in english
Prefer stability; reluctant to relocate
Pronunciation: ān tǔ zhòng qiān Literal meaning: Content with soil, reluctant to move
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes being content (安) with one's land (土) and reluctant (重) to relocate (迁). It reflects traditional agricultural societies where land was life and moving was avoided. The phrase captures conservative attachment to place. Modern usage describes the preference for stability over change, the reluctance to leave familiar surroundings even for potential improvements.
Examples
English: "Rural communities often maintain strong attachment to their land."
Chinese: 农村社区往往安土重迁，对土地有强烈的依恋。
Related Chinese Idioms
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yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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Advantage from close connections
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yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 安土重迁 mean in English?
安土重迁 (ān tǔ zhòng qiān) literally translates to “Content with soil, reluctant to move” and is used to express “Prefer stability; reluctant to relocate”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 安土重迁 used?
Situation: Rural communities often maintain strong attachment to their land.
What is the pinyin for 安土重迁?
The pinyin pronunciation for 安土重迁 is “ān tǔ zhòng qiān”.