gu3 bou6 zi6 fung1故步自封
Jyutpinggu3 bou6 zi6 fung1
Yalegu bouh jih fūng
Definition
To stand still and refuse to make progress, being complacent and conservative.
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How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of criticism towards someone who is stubbornly clinging to old methods or outdated ideas. It is frequently used in professional or academic contexts to warn against the dangers of complacency in a rapidly changing environment. Unlike simple laziness, it implies a conscious, albeit misguided, choice to reject innovation.
Examples
You are always stuck in your ways, how can you ever improve?
The company cannot remain stagnant anymore; we need to think of new ways forward.
Related words
Common phrases
cannot remain stagnant
refuse to be complacent
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
