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. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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。
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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: This idiom applies when describing situations involving be complacent; refuse to improve.
What is the pinyin for 固步自封?
The pinyin pronunciation for 固步自封 is “gù bù zì fēng”.