积重难返
积重难返 (jī zhòng nán fǎn) literally means “accumulated weight hard to return” and expresses “entrenched practice resists reversal”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: ji zhong nan fan, ji zhong nan fan,积重难返 meaning, 积重难返 in english
Entrenched practice resists reversal
Pronunciation: jī zhòng nán fǎn Literal meaning: Accumulated weight hard to return
Origin & Usage
What has accumulated (积) becomes heavy (重) and is hard (难) to turn back (返). The image is of momentum rather than mere habit — something that gathered gradually, unopposed at every individual step, until reversing it would require more force than anyone now has. That is what makes it a phrase about institutions more than about people. Entrenched corruption, bloated bureaucracy, and practices everyone agrees are wrong and nobody can stop.
Examples
English: "Once bad habits are formed, they are hard to change."
Chinese: 一旦形成坏习惯，就很难改回来了。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
返璞归真
fǎn pú guī zhēn
Embrace authenticity
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返老还童
fǎn lǎo huán tóng
Regain vitality
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日积月累
rì jī yuè lěi
Gradual accumulation builds up
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积少成多
jī shǎo chéng duō
Small amounts compound
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厚积薄发
hòu jī bó fā
Success after long preparation
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安土重迁
ān tǔ zhòng qiān
Prefer stability; reluctant to relocate
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如释重负
rú shì zhòng fù
Feeling relieved
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插翅难飞
chā chì nán fēi
Utterly impossible to escape
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 积重难返 mean in English?
积重难返 (jī zhòng nán fǎn) literally translates to “Accumulated weight hard to return” and is used to express “Entrenched practice resists reversal”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 积重难返 used?
Situation: Once bad habits are formed, they are hard to change.
What is the pinyin for 积重难返?
The pinyin pronunciation for 积重难返 is “jī zhòng nán fǎn”.