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循规蹈矩 (xún guī dǎo jǔ) — to strictly follow rules and conventions; to toe the line; rigidly conformist

Definition

A formal idiom meaning to slavishly follow every rule and convention, usually with a negative tone (rigid, uncreative). The examples show it contrasted with boldness, initiative, or originality.

idiom
to strictly follow rules and conventionsto toe the linerigidly conformist

Examples

  • ，循规蹈矩，。
    Zài gōng zuò zhōng, tā zǒng shì xún guī dǎo jǔ, cóng bú chuàng xīn.
    At work, he always follows the rules and never innovates.
  • 循规蹈矩，。
    Zhè ge lǎo shī bù xǐ huan xún guī dǎo jǔ de xué shēng, gèng xǐ huan yǒu xiǎng fǎ de xué shēng.
    This teacher doesn't like students who just follow the rules; she prefers students with ideas.
  • 循规蹈矩，。
    Shēng huó rú guǒ tài xún guī dǎo jǔ, jiù huì shī qù hěn duō lè qù.
    If life is too rigidly rule-bound, you'll lose a lot of fun.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

循规follow rules
循xúnfollow规guīrule
动宾Verb + object
蹈矩tread the square
蹈dǎotread矩jǔsquare
动宾Verb + object

follow rules and tread the square combine to mean strictly observe conventions.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
彳彳chìmovement
Sound part声符shēngfú
盾
盾dùn循xún
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

循 has 彳 on the left, a part used for movement, and 盾 on the right, which gives the pronunciation.

Open 循 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 規; 规 is its simplified writing.

  • 夫夫fūhusband
  • 見見jiànsee

The simplified 规 is a shorthand; the traditional form 規 shows a cross-shaped compass in its early drawing, and its later form uses 夫 and 見.

Open 规 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
足足zú
Sound part声符shēngfú
舀
舀yǎo蹈dǎo
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

蹈 is made of 足, a foot, and 舀; the foot part shows it is about foot actions, and 舀 gives the sound.

Open 蹈 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 矩 came from a picture of a man holding a carpenter's square.

Open 矩 →
Appears in
Idioms & Set PhrasesPersonality & Traits

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