长此以往 (cháng cǐ yǐ wǎng) — (set phrase) if things continue this way; if this situation persists

Definition

A written idiom warning that if the current bad situation continues, a negative outcome will follow. Used in formal writing or speeches to issue a caution, not in everyday talk.

idiom
(set phrase) if things continue this wayif this situation persists

Examples

  • 长此以往，。
    cháng cǐ yǐ wǎng, Nǐ de shēn tǐ huì yuè lái yuè chà.
    If things continue this way, your health will get worse and worse.
  • 长此以往，。
    cháng cǐ yǐ wǎng, Gōng sī chí zǎo huì dǎo bì.
    If things continue this way, the company will go bankrupt sooner or later.
  • 长此以往，。
    cháng cǐ yǐ wǎng, Nǐ men de máo dùn zhī huì jiā shēn.
    If things continue this way, your conflict will only deepen.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 長; 长 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 長 pictures an old man with long hair. The simplified 长 is a later shorthand, so its strokes do not show that original picture.

Open 长 →

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

此 shows 止 (feet) and 人 (person), drawing a person stopping, to mean 'this' or 'here.'

Open 此 →

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

The shape came from a drawing of a person carrying something; in 以, part of that person is still visible on the right.

Open 以 →

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
止止zhǐfoot
Sound part声符shēngfú
王
王wáng往wǎng
Same sound today

The form that became 往 paired 止, a foot, with 王 for the sound; a stepping part was later added, and the right side changed.

Open 往 →

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