CHENGYU
一成不变(yī chéng bù biàn)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- neutral, often critical
- Source:
- 《礼记·王制》
MEANING
- Literal
- fixed once and never changed
- Figurative meaning
- rigid and unchanging
ORIGIN STORY
The Book of Rites says: "What is fixed once cannot be changed — therefore the gentleman gives it his whole heart." The phrase moved from the sanctity of law to a criticism of anything frozen in place.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“set in stone”
EXAMPLES
时代在变，方法不能一成不变。Shídài zài biàn, fāngfǎ bù néng yī chéng bù biàn.HSK6
Times change; methods cannot stay frozen in place.
这家店的口味几十年一成不变。Zhè jiā diàn de kǒuwèi jǐ shí nián yī chéng bù biàn.HSK6
This shop's recipes have not changed a jot in decades.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: Today it usually criticizes stubborn rigidity — not a compliment about reliability.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01