固步自封 (gù bù zì fēng) — to be stuck in one's ways; to be complacent and resistant to change
Definition
A formal chengyu meaning to be stuck in one's old ways and refuse to change. Often used to criticize organizations or people who are self-satisfied and closed to new ideas.
verb
to be stuck in one's waysto be complacent and resistant to change
Examples
- 固步自封，。Wǒ men bù néng gù bù zì fēng, yào bú duàn xué xí xīn zhī shi.We cannot be complacent and resist change; we must keep learning new knowledge.
- 固步自封。Zhè jiā gōng sī yīn wèi gù bù zì fēng ér shī qù le shì chǎng.This company lost its market because it was stuck in its own ways.
- 固步自封，。Tā rú guǒ jì xù gù bù zì fēng, jiù hěn nán jìn bù.If he continues to be complacent, it will be hard for him to make progress.
Origin
Compound word构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head
The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.
固步 describes how one 自封, shutting oneself off from change.
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