gu3 bou6 zi6 fung1固步自封

Jyutpinggu3 bou6 zi6 fung1

Yalegu bouh jih fūng

Definition

Complacent and conservative; stuck in one's ways and refusing to make progress or seek improvement.

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How it's used

This idiom carries a strong critical tone, often used to describe someone or an organization that is stubbornly resistant to change or innovation. It implies a sense of stagnation resulting from an over-reliance on past successes or traditional methods. While it is a four-character idiom, it is frequently used in spoken Cantonese to critique a lack of professional or personal growth.

Examples

nei5你seng4成jat6日gu3固bou6步zi6自fung1封，dim2點joeng2樣zeon3進bou6步aa4呀？

You are always stuck in your old ways, how can you improve?

gaan1間gung1公si1司gu3固bou6步zi6自fung1封，hou2好faai3快wui2會bei2俾jan4人tou4淘taai3汰。

The company is stuck in its old ways and will soon be eliminated.

Related words

synonymmak6 sau2 sing4 kwai1墨守成規makh sáu sìngh kwāisynonymbat1 si1 zeon3 ceoi2不思進取bāt sī jeun chéui

Common phrases

si1思soeng2想gu3固bou6步zi6自fung1封

having a stagnant mindset

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 墨守成規, which focuses more on strictly following established rules and regulations, whereas 固步自封 emphasizes the self-imposed limitation that prevents one from moving forward or exploring new possibilities.