固步自封
固步自封 (gù bù zì fēng) literally means “stick to old ways and restrict oneself” and expresses “be complacent; refuse to improve”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: gu bu zi feng, gu bu zi feng,固步自封 meaning, 固步自封 in english
Be complacent; refuse to improve
Pronunciation: gù bù zì fēng Literal meaning: Stick to old ways and restrict oneself
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes sticking (固) to one's steps (步) and self (自) restricting (封). It criticizes those who refuse to advance beyond their current position, becoming prisoners of their own comfort zone. The phrase warns against complacency and the dangers of not adapting to change. Modern usage describes individuals or organizations that stop growing due to satisfaction with the status quo.
Examples
English: "The industry leader's complacency allowed competitors to overtake them."
Chinese: 行业领导者固步自封的态度让竞争对手超越了他们。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一波三折
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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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
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 固步自封 mean in English?
固步自封 (gù bù zì fēng) literally translates to “Stick to old ways and restrict oneself” and is used to express “Be complacent; refuse to improve”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 固步自封 used?
Situation: The industry leader's complacency allowed competitors to overtake them.
What is the pinyin for 固步自封?
The pinyin pronunciation for 固步自封 is “gù bù zì fēng”.