积习难改...
ji xi nan gai...
Old habits die hard...
Literalmente: Accumulated (积) habits (习) difficult (难) to change (改).
En 15 segundos
- Deeply ingrained habits are very difficult to break or change.
- Used for long-standing behaviors, often with a sense of resignation.
- Combines 'accumulated habits' with 'difficult to change' for poetic effect.
Significado
This phrase describes how deeply ingrained habits are incredibly difficult to change, even when you really want to. It is the perfect way to explain why someone keeps falling back into their old ways.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Talking about a friend's late-night snacking
他想减肥，但积习难改，晚上又开始吃零食了。
He wants to lose weight, but old habits die hard; he started snacking at night again.
Discussing a company's outdated workflow
公司的流程太旧了，虽然大家都知道，但积习难改。
The company's workflow is too old; everyone knows it, but old habits are hard to change.
Texting a friend about your own messy room
我想变整洁，可惜积习难改，房间又乱了。
I want to be tidy, but sadly old habits die hard—my room is a mess again.
Contexto cultural
Emphasizes the importance of early education to prevent bad habits from forming.
Use with '真是'
Adding '真是' before the idiom makes it sound more natural in conversation.
En 15 segundos
- Deeply ingrained habits are very difficult to break or change.
- Used for long-standing behaviors, often with a sense of resignation.
- Combines 'accumulated habits' with 'difficult to change' for poetic effect.
What It Means
Think of your brain like a dirt path. Every time you do something, the path gets deeper. 积习难改 describes those paths that have become deep trenches. It literally means habits accumulated over time are hard to fix. It is not just about being lazy. It is about the momentum of your past actions. You use this when someone repeats a mistake. Or when a person sticks to a weird routine. It implies that the behavior is almost automatic now.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone comment. Just sigh and say, "哎，积习难改." You can also use it to describe a specific person. It often follows a description of a stubborn behavior. It works well in both writing and speaking. It sounds a bit more sophisticated than just saying "he won't change." It adds a layer of psychological depth to your observation. It is like saying, "I get why this is happening, but it is still frustrating."
When To Use It
Use it when your friend tries to quit coffee but fails. Use it when your dad still uses a flip phone in 2024. It is great for office settings too. Maybe a colleague keeps using an outdated filing system. It is perfect for those "here we go again" moments. It works best when the habit is long-standing. If someone did something once, this phrase is too heavy. Save it for the chronic stuff.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for serious addictions or tragedies. It is too light for something like a medical crisis. Avoid using it to insult a superior directly. It might sound like you are calling them old and stubborn. Do not use it for new habits. If I started biting my nails yesterday, it is not a 积习 yet. Also, do not use it if you are genuinely angry. It has a slightly resigned, philosophical tone. If you are screaming, this phrase feels out of place.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from ancient Chinese philosophy and literature. It reflects the Confucian idea that character is built through repetition. In Chinese culture, there is a big emphasis on "self-cultivation." Because habits define who you are, failing to change them is a big deal. It is often linked to the idea of "nature vs. nurture." Even if your nature is good, bad habits can ruin it. It is a warning to be careful about what you repeat every day.
Common Variations
A common sibling to this is 本性难移. That one means "nature is hard to change." Use 积习难改 for things people learned to do. Use 本性难移 for their core personality. Another one is 习以为常. This means something has become a normal habit. You can also say 改掉坏习惯 for the literal act of breaking a habit. But 积习难改 is the most poetic way to describe the struggle.
Notas de uso
This phrase is neutral to slightly formal. It is safe for most conversations but carries a tone of resignation. Be careful not to sound overly critical when using it about others.
Use with '真是'
Adding '真是' before the idiom makes it sound more natural in conversation.
Ejemplos
6他想减肥，但积习难改，晚上又开始吃零食了。
He wants to lose weight, but old habits die hard; he started snacking at night again.
Describes a personal struggle with a common habit.
公司的流程太旧了，虽然大家都知道，但积习难改。
The company's workflow is too old; everyone knows it, but old habits are hard to change.
Used in a professional context to describe institutional inertia.
我想变整洁，可惜积习难改，房间又乱了。
I want to be tidy, but sadly old habits die hard—my room is a mess again.
Self-deprecating use in an informal text.
爷爷总是想用笔点屏幕，真是积习难改啊！
Grandpa always tries to touch the screen with a pen; old habits really do die hard!
Lighthearted observation of a funny habit.
我们都想为了对方改变，奈何积习难改，最后还是分开了。
We both wanted to change for each other, but habits are hard to break, and we eventually split.
Expresses a sense of sadness and inevitability.
这种官僚主义作风在当地积习难改。
This bureaucratic style is a deeply ingrained habit in that region.
Formal usage describing a societal problem.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct idiom.
他总是迟到，真是______。
The context describes a recurring bad habit.
🎉 Puntuación: /1
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
1 ejercicios他总是迟到，真是______。
The context describes a recurring bad habit.
🎉 Puntuación: /1
Preguntas frecuentes
1 preguntasYes, it shows self-awareness.
Frases relacionadas
积重难返
similarA situation is too far gone to fix.
