一成不变
- Literal
- once formed, never changing
- Figurative
- Staying the same year after year and never changing with the times; usually said reproachfully, of methods, rules or ideas the world has already left behind.
Where does 一成不变 come from?
The wording comes from a passage in the 《礼记》, in the "Royal Regulations" chapter, about punishments: once a sentence has been handed down and settled it can no longer be altered, and so, the text says, whoever judges must give it his full attention beforehand. From that line — 一成而不可变, "once formed, it cannot be changed" — the idiom emerged, and it left the courtroom long ago. Today it covers anything that stays exactly as it was, usually with a note of criticism: methods, rules or habits that ought to move with the times and don't. It also shows up negated a lot — 这不是一成不变的, "this isn't set in stone."
Source (出处): 《礼记·王制》
How is 一成不变 used? Two examples
- 这家店的菜单几年来一成不变，老顾客早就吃腻了。
This place's menu hasn't changed in years, and the regulars are sick of it by now.
- 世界变化这么快，我们的想法也不该一成不变。
The world changes so fast that our thinking shouldn't stay stuck either.
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