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
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.
When to Use
Situation: The industry leader's complacency allowed competitors to overtake them.
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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 theLife 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”.