一成不变

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: yì chéng bú biàn
• English Translation: Inflexible and rigid, unchanging, sticking to the old ways
• Idiom Composition: 「一」（Once）＋「成」（To become, to be completed）＋「不」（Not）＋「变」（To change）
• Meaning: Once something is established, it remains unchanged. It refers to a state with no change, progress, or development. Often used in a negative context, it carries a connotation of inflexibility and clinging to outdated methods.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「一成不变」 contains the following nuances:

• Lack of change: Refers to ways of thinking and doing things remaining completely unchanged despite changes in times and circumstances.
• Lack of progress: Describes a state where no progress or development occurs because new ideas or methods are not adopted.
• Rigidity: Indicates a lack of flexibility and an unwillingness to adapt.
• Conservatism: Implies an attitude of clinging to old traditions and rejecting new changes.

3. Usage

「一成不变」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Criticism or denial: Used to criticize people, organizations, or mindsets that resist change and lack progress.
  • Example:「这家公司的管理模式一成不变，导致效率低下。」
    （This company's management model is unchanging, leading to low efficiency.）
• Pointing out problems: Used to point out that responses are slow despite changing circumstances.
  • Example:「面对市场的变化，我们不能采取一成不变的策略。」
    （In the face of market changes, we cannot adopt an unchanging strategy.）
• Description of personality: Can describe a stubborn person who refuses to change their mind.
  • Example:「他的性格一成不变，总是那么固执。」
    （His personality is unchanging; he is always so stubborn.）

Additional Examples:

1. 在快速变化的科技领域，一成不变的策略是行不通的。
   （In the fast-changing field of technology, an unchanging strategy is not feasible.）
2. 尽管时代在变，但某些传统习俗仍然一成不变。
   （Although times are changing, some traditional customs remain unchanged.）
3. 他这个人就是一成不变，你再怎么劝他也没用。
   （He is an inflexible person; no matter how much you try to persuade him, it's useless.）
4. 这种一成不变的教育方式，不利于培养学生的创新能力。
   （This kind of unchanging educational method is not conducive to cultivating students' innovative abilities.）
5. 我们要勇于打破一成不变的思维模式，积极探索新的发展道路。
   （We must have the courage to break the unchanging mindset and actively explore new paths of development.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Values towards change: In traditional Chinese culture, while transformation and innovation are valued, there is also a strong emphasis on stability and tradition. The idiom '一成不变' reflects this duality in attitudes toward change.
• Contextual judgment: '一成不变' is not always used negatively. For example, in traditional crafts, being unchanging can be seen as valuable. It is important to interpret its meaning based on the context.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 墨守成规 (mò shǒu chéng guī): To rigidly adhere to old customs without change.
  • 固步自封 (gù bù zì fēng): To confine oneself and refuse to make progress.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 日新月异 (rì xīn yuè yì): To make rapid progress and undergo significant changes daily.
  • 推陈出新 (tuī chén chū xīn): To discard the old and bring forth the new.

6. Summary

'一成不变' is an idiom often used with a negative connotation in today's rapidly changing society. When using this idiom, it is important to consider from the context whether the unchanging nature of the subject is problematic or valuable. Additionally, since cultural attitudes toward change in Chinese may differ from those in other languages, understanding this cultural background is essential when using this idiom.