To live and act strictly according to established rules without deviation.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Follows established rules and regulations strictly.
- Describes someone who is conventional and cautious.
- Can imply a lack of creativity or flexibility.
Overview
- 1概述：循规蹈矩是一个汉语成语，由“循”（遵循）、“规”（规矩）、“蹈”（踩、踏）、“矩”（方矩，引申为法度）组成。它原指遵守礼法，现多形容人办事规规矩矩，不敢越雷池一步。2) 用法：该词既可作褒义词，形容一个人严于律己、做事稳重；也可作贬义词，讽刺一个人思想保守、死板，缺乏灵活性。3) 常见语境：常用于职场评价、性格描述或对某种刻板生活方式的讨论。例如，形容一个会计工作严谨，是褒义；形容一个艺术家缺乏创意，则带有贬义。4) 近义词辨析：与“墨守成规”相比，“循规蹈矩”更侧重于行为举止的规范，而“墨守成规”更侧重于思想观念的陈旧。与“按部就班”相比，“按部就班”侧重于按照程序办事，中性色彩更强。
Examples
他是一个循规蹈矩的人，从不迟到。
everydayHe is a person who follows the rules and is never late.
这家老牌企业过于循规蹈矩，导致市场份额不断下滑。
formalThis veteran company is too conventional, leading to a decline in market share.
别总是循规蹈矩的，偶尔也要尝试点新鲜事物。
informalDon't always play by the rules; try something new once in a while.
官僚主义导致行政流程过于循规蹈矩。
academicBureaucracy makes administrative processes overly rigid.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
为人循规蹈矩
Behave in a conventional manner
拒绝循规蹈矩
Refuse to follow the beaten path
Often Confused With
Focuses on sticking to old ideas and refusing to change, whereas '循规蹈矩' focuses on following behavioral rules.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
This idiom is widely used in both formal and informal registers. It is neutral to negative in business contexts but often positive when emphasizing reliability. It is a four-character structure common in written and spoken Chinese.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use it to mean 'well-behaved' in a childish way, but it is more about adherence to systems or procedures. Avoid using it to describe someone who is simply obedient to parents; it is better suited for professional or social systems.
Tips
Context determines the nuance
Always check if the speaker is praising someone's discipline or criticizing their lack of imagination.
Avoid using in creative contexts
Do not use this to describe someone who is innovative or an out-of-the-box thinker.
Traditional values vs Modern innovation
In Chinese culture, this reflects the tension between Confucian adherence to rituals and modern demands for creativity.
Word Origin
Derived from ancient Confucian practices where 'Ju' (矩) refers to a carpenter's square used to draw squares, symbolizing strict adherence to standards and moral codes.
Cultural Context
Reflects the traditional Chinese emphasis on social harmony and order, which can sometimes be seen as a barrier to individual creativity in a modern globalized context.
Memory Tip
Think of a person walking on a marked path (蹈矩) following the signs (循规). They are safe but never see the view outside the path.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions不一定。这取决于语境，当形容一个人做事严谨、遵守纪律时是褒义；当形容一个人死板、缺乏创新时是贬义。
可以，常用来形容一家企业经营风格保守，缺乏开拓精神。
可以，它常作为谓语使用，例如“他一向循规蹈矩”。
“老实”侧重于诚实、不欺诈；“循规蹈矩”侧重于行为方式符合既定规范。
Test Yourself
他工作总是___，从不出错，但也缺乏创新。
形容做事规矩且缺乏创新，符合语义。
Score: /1
Summary
To live and act strictly according to established rules without deviation.
- Follows established rules and regulations strictly.
- Describes someone who is conventional and cautious.
- Can imply a lack of creativity or flexibility.
Context determines the nuance
Always check if the speaker is praising someone's discipline or criticizing their lack of imagination.
Avoid using in creative contexts
Do not use this to describe someone who is innovative or an out-of-the-box thinker.
Traditional values vs Modern innovation
In Chinese culture, this reflects the tension between Confucian adherence to rituals and modern demands for creativity.
Examples
4 of 4他是一个循规蹈矩的人，从不迟到。
He is a person who follows the rules and is never late.
这家老牌企业过于循规蹈矩，导致市场份额不断下滑。
This veteran company is too conventional, leading to a decline in market share.
别总是循规蹈矩的，偶尔也要尝试点新鲜事物。
Don't always play by the rules; try something new once in a while.
官僚主义导致行政流程过于循规蹈矩。
Bureaucracy makes administrative processes overly rigid.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
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未免
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反常
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