格格不入

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: gé gé bù rù
• English Translation: Not in harmony with surroundings; out of place; unable to fit in; incompatible
• Idiom Composition: 「格」（An onomatopoeic word describing things that do not fit perfectly and conflict with each other）＋「格」（An onomatopoeic word describing things that do not fit perfectly and conflict with each other）＋「不」（Not; negation）＋「入」（To enter; to fit in）
• Meaning: Describes a state of not harmonizing or fitting in with the surrounding environment, situation, or people. It refers to being out of sync or standing out due to differences in thinking, personality, behavior, clothing, and other aspects.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「格格不入」 contains the following nuances:

• Lack of harmony: Represents a state where there is no harmony with the surrounding environment or people.
• Sense of incongruity: Accompanied by a feeling of being out of place or inappropriate for the setting.
• Isolation: May indicate being isolated or standing apart from those around.
• Incompatibility: Means fundamental differences in thinking or values that make compatibility impossible.

3. Usage

「格格不入」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Mismatch in personality or thinking: Describes when a person's personality or way of thinking does not align with those around them.
  • Example:「他的性格比较内向，和这个团队格格不入。」
    （His introverted personality makes him incompatible with this team.）
• Incongruity in clothing or appearance: Describes when a person's clothing or appearance does not match the atmosphere of the place.
  • Example:「她穿着运动服来参加晚宴，显得格格不入。」
    （She wore sportswear to the banquet and looked out of place.）
• Differences in culture or customs: Describes situations where people from different cultures or customs cannot understand each other.
  • Example:「刚到国外时，我对当地的习俗感到格格不入。」
    （When I first arrived abroad, I felt out of place with the local customs.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他的保守观念与公司的创新文化格格不入。
   （His conservative views are incompatible with the company's innovative culture.）
2. 在这个严肃的会议上，他突然讲了一个笑话，显得格格不入。
   （At this serious meeting, he suddenly told a joke and appeared out of place.）
3. 这幅现代艺术作品放在古典风格的房间里，看起来格格不入。
   （This modern artwork looks incongruous placed in a room with classical style.）
4. 尽管他努力尝试融入，但始终觉得自己与周围的人格格不入。
   （Although he tried hard to fit in, he always felt out of place with those around him.）
5. 她的价值观和这个圈子格格不入，所以她选择离开。
   （Her values were incompatible with this circle, so she chose to leave.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Culture of harmony: In Chinese culture, harmony and cooperation are highly valued, as expressed in the saying '和为贵' (harmony is precious). '格格不入' describes a state that goes against this cultural value of harmony.
• Negative nuance: '格格不入' is often used with a negative connotation, implying that not fitting in with the surroundings is seen as a problem or flaw.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 水火不容 (shuǐ huǒ bù róng): Incompatible like water and fire.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 水乳交融 (shuǐ rǔ jiāo róng): Completely integrated and harmonious, like water and milk blending together.
  • 相得益彰 (xiāng dé yì zhāng): Mutually complementing each other and enhancing their qualities.

6. Summary

'格格不入' is an idiom describing a state of not harmonizing or fitting in with one's surroundings. Since harmony ('和') is highly valued in Chinese culture, this idiom often carries a negative connotation. When using this idiom, it is important to specify what aspect of a person or thing does not fit with the surroundings. Understanding the cultural background behind this expression is also essential.