慢条斯理 (màn tiáo sī lǐ) — (idiom, adverb) unhurriedly, deliberately, in a leisurely and methodical way

Definition

An idiom meaning 'slow and unhurried' in manner or speech — leisurely and methodical, not rushed. Often paired with 地 to modify a verb (e.g. 慢条斯理地说话).

(idiom, adverb) unhurriedly, deliberately, in a leisurely and methodical way

Examples

  • 慢条斯理，。
    Tā zuò shì zǒng shì màn tiáo sī lǐ de, cóng bù zháo jí.
    He always does things unhurriedly, never in a hurry.
  • 慢条斯理，。
    Tā màn tiáo sī lǐ dì hē le yì kǒu chá, rán hòu màn màn shuō huà.
    She took a sip of tea unhurriedly, then spoke slowly.
  • ，慢条斯理。
    Bié cuī tā, tā xǐ huan màn tiáo sī lǐ dì wán chéng rèn wu.
    Don't rush him, he likes to complete tasks unhurriedly.

Origin

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
忄Written in full as心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
曼
曼màn慢màn
Same sound today

慢 pairs 忄 (heart) with 曼 (màn). The heart part points to a manner or sluggish behavior, while 曼’s meaning “long, extended” adds the sense of taking a long time.

Open 慢 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 條; 条 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mù
Sound part声符shēngfú
攸
攸yōu條tiáo
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 條 pairs 木, a small branch or stick, with 攸, which shows a person warned by a hand holding a stick, as a sound part; 条 is a later shortened shape.

Open 条 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 斯 →

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
玉玉yùjade
Sound part声符shēngfú
里
里lǐ理lǐ
Same sound today

理 pairs 玉 (jade) with 里, which shows how to say it; the jade part points to the old sense of polishing jade.

Open 理 →

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