jat1 bun2 tung1 syu1 tai2 dou3 lou5一本通書睇到老一本通书睇到老

Jyutpingjat1 bun2 tung1 syu1 tai2 dou3 lou5

Yaleyāt bún tūng syū tái dou lóuh

語句

Definition

Rigid, inflexible, and unable to adapt; sticking to the same old rules or methods without changing.

colloquialpeopleother

How it's used

This idiom draws on the cultural significance of the Chinese almanac, which was historically the go-to guide for everything from choosing wedding dates to predicting weather. Relying on a single source for life's complex and changing situations is seen as foolish and impractical. It is frequently used to criticize older generations or stubborn individuals who refuse to update their methods in a fast-paced city like Hong Kong.

Examples

zou6做jan4人m4唔hou2好jat1一bun2本tung1通syu1書tai2睇dou3到lou5老，jiu3要hok6學sik1識bin3變tung1通。

Don't be so rigid in life, you need to learn to be flexible.

nei5你zung6仲jung6用gau6舊fong1方faat3法zou6做je5嘢？zan1真hai6係jat1一bun2本tung1通syu1書tai2睇dou3到lou5老wo5喎。

You're still using the old way of doing things? You really are stuck in your ways.

Related words

synonymsei2 baan2死板séi bán

Common phrases

m4唔hou2好jat1一bun2本tung1通syu1書tai2睇dou3到lou5老

don't be so rigid

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone who is simply 'traditional' or 'conservative' in their values. It specifically targets a lack of adaptability or a refusal to update one's methodology in a practical setting.