屡教不改...
lü jiao bu gai...
Won't change...
بهطور تحتاللفظی: Repeatedly (lǚ) taught (jiào) not (bù) change (gǎi)
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Someone repeats mistakes despite being corrected.
- Implies stubbornness or a refusal to learn.
- Used for bad habits and persistent behavioral issues.
معنی
This phrase describes someone who keeps making the same mistake over and over again, even after you've corrected them many times. It's that feeling of frustration when someone is being stubborn or just won't learn their lesson.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Complaining about a roommate
他总是把臭袜子乱扔，真是屡教不改。
He always leaves his smelly socks everywhere; he just won't change.
A manager discussing a staff member
这位员工迟到的问题屡教不改，我们必须谈谈了。
This employee's lateness is a persistent issue; we must have a talk.
Texting a friend about a mutual acquaintance
他又忘了还钱？真是屡教不改的人。
He forgot to pay back the money again? He never learns.
زمینه فرهنگی
The phrase reflects the Confucian emphasis on 'rectification of character.' In Chinese society, being receptive to feedback is a vital social skill. This idiom highlights the social friction caused when an individual ignores collective or parental guidance.
The 'Teacher' doesn't have to be a teacher
In this phrase, '教' (teaching) can refer to advice from friends, warnings from parents, or even fines from the police. It's any form of corrective input.
Don't use it for yourself
It sounds very self-deprecating or even a bit strange to say 'I am 屡教不改' unless you are being extremely sarcastic. It's almost always used for others.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Someone repeats mistakes despite being corrected.
- Implies stubbornness or a refusal to learn.
- Used for bad habits and persistent behavioral issues.
What It Means
lǚ jiào bù gǎi is a four-character idiom (chengyu). It describes a person who is incorrigible. You use it when someone is stuck in their ways. They hear the advice but ignore it. It implies a sense of stubbornness or a lack of self-discipline. It’s not just about forgetting once. It’s about a pattern of behavior that persists despite intervention.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone description. You can also use it to modify a person. For example, you might say someone is a lǚ jiào bù gǎi person. It often follows a subject directly. It feels heavy and decisive. Use it when you want to emphasize that the 'teaching' part has already happened. You’ve done your part, but they haven't done theirs.
When To Use It
Use it when talking about bad habits. It’s great for complaining about a roommate who never washes dishes. Use it at work for a colleague who misses the same deadline weekly. It works well in serious discussions about discipline. You can also use it in a joking way with close friends. If your friend always dates the same type of 'bad news' person, this is the phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for honest mistakes. If someone is trying hard but failing, it’s too harsh. Avoid using it with your boss unless you want to get fired. It carries a tone of 'looking down' on someone's behavior. Never use it for children who are still learning basic skills. It implies the person should know better by now. It’s too strong for a first-time error.
Cultural Background
This expression has deep roots in Chinese moral education. Traditional culture places a high value on self-reflection and 'correcting errors.' In ancient times, failing to change after being taught was seen as a character flaw. It wasn't just about the mistake itself. It was about the disrespect shown to the teacher or elder. Today, it’s less about ancient rituals and more about modern frustration.
Common Variations
A common companion phrase is sǐ xìng bù gǎi. That one is much harsher. It means someone's nature is unchangeable. lǚ jiào bù gǎi focuses on the failed education process. You might also hear mù bù shí dīng for someone ignorant, but that’s different. Stick to lǚ jiào bù gǎi when the focus is on the stubborn refusal to improve.
نکات کاربردی
The phrase is versatile across formality levels but always carries a tone of disapproval. Be careful with its 'finality'—using it suggests you've given up hope on the person changing.
The 'Teacher' doesn't have to be a teacher
In this phrase, '教' (teaching) can refer to advice from friends, warnings from parents, or even fines from the police. It's any form of corrective input.
Don't use it for yourself
It sounds very self-deprecating or even a bit strange to say 'I am 屡教不改' unless you are being extremely sarcastic. It's almost always used for others.
The 'Face' Factor
Calling someone `lǚ jiào bù gǎi` in public can make them 'lose face' because it implies they are either slow or disrespectful. Use it privately if you want to keep the peace!
مثالها
6他总是把臭袜子乱扔，真是屡教不改。
He always leaves his smelly socks everywhere; he just won't change.
Describes a persistent annoying habit in a casual setting.
这位员工迟到的问题屡教不改，我们必须谈谈了。
This employee's lateness is a persistent issue; we must have a talk.
Used professionally to describe a performance issue.
他又忘了还钱？真是屡教不改的人。
He forgot to pay back the money again? He never learns.
Expressing shared frustration via text.
我跟你说了多少次要洗手，你怎么屡教不改呢？
How many times have I told you to wash your hands? Why won't you listen?
Shows parental frustration with a child's habit.
你又买这种没用的东西，真是屡教不改的购物狂！
You bought another useless thing? You're an incorrigible shopaholic!
Uses the phrase playfully to tease a friend.
对于那些屡教不改的违规者，应当加强处罚。
For those repeat offenders who refuse to change, penalties should be increased.
Used in a formal, legalistic, or social commentary context.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the best phrase to describe someone who keeps breaking the same rule.
他已经因为超速被罚了好几次，但依然___。
The sentence mentions being fined multiple times but still doing it, which perfectly fits 'refusing to change despite teaching'.
Complete the sentence to express frustration with a friend's habit.
你总是熬夜，医生都说了好几次了，你真是___！
Since the doctor gave advice multiple times and the friend still stays up late, this idiom is the most appropriate.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality and Intensity Spectrum
Teasing friends about small habits.
You forgot your keys again!
Describing a coworker or roommate's behavior.
He keeps making the same typo.
Official warnings or social criticism.
Repeat offenders of the law.
Where to use 屡教不改
Workplace
Missing the same deadline weekly
Friendship
Dating the same 'bad' types
Home Life
Leaving the lights on daily
Health
Ignoring doctor's advice
بانک تمرین
2 تمرینها他已经因为超速被罚了好几次，但依然___。
The sentence mentions being fined multiple times but still doing it, which perfectly fits 'refusing to change despite teaching'.
你总是熬夜，医生都说了好几次了，你真是___！
Since the doctor gave advice multiple times and the friend still stays up late, this idiom is the most appropriate.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
سوالات متداول
10 سوالIt can be. It's a strong criticism of someone's character or habits. However, among close friends, it can be used for lighthearted teasing like 你真是屡教不改.
Yes, parents often use it when their children keep repeating a naughty behavior, such as 这孩子屡教不改，总是在墙上乱画.
'Stubborn' (固执) is a personality trait. lǚ jiào bù gǎi specifically focuses on the cycle of being corrected and then failing to change.
It's neutral-formal. You can use it in a performance review, but it sounds quite stern. For example: 他在工作习惯上屡教不改.
No, it is almost exclusively used for negative habits or mistakes. You wouldn't use it for someone who keeps being 'too nice' despite being told not to be.
It usually functions as a predicate or an adjective. You can say 他屡教不改 (He won't change) or 屡教不改的人 (A person who won't change).
Not necessarily. It implies they are unwilling to change, which is more about attitude and willpower than intelligence.
A good opposite would be 知错就改 (zhī cuò jiù gǎi), which means 'to correct a mistake as soon as you realize it'.
Yes, it's very common. You'll hear it in dramas, read it in news reports, and hear it in household arguments.
Absolutely. You can say 这些学生屡教不改 to refer to a group of students who keep breaking the same rule.
عبارات مرتبط
死性不改
Stubbornly refusing to change one's nature (harsher).
知错就改
To correct one's errors as soon as they are pointed out.
执迷不悟
To refuse to come to one's senses; to be obstinately misguided.
积习难改
Old habits die hard; deep-rooted habits are hard to change.
