shǒujiù: 守旧 - Conservative, Old-fashioned

• Keywords: shoujiu, 守旧, Chinese conservative, Chinese old-fashioned, meaning of shoujiu, traditional vs shoujiu, outdated Chinese, stubbornly traditional, resistant to change in Chinese
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 守旧 (shǒujiù), a common Chinese term for being “conservative” or “old-fashioned.” This page breaks down its characters, cultural significance, and practical usage. Learn why shǒujiù often carries a negative connotation of being stubbornly resistant to change, unlike the more neutral English word “traditional,” through clear examples and cultural context perfect for beginner learners.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shǒujiù
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To be conservative, old-fashioned, or to stick to old ways.
• In a Nutshell: 守旧 (shǒujiù) describes someone or something that clings to the past and resists new ideas or change. While it can translate to “conservative,” it almost always has a negative undertone, implying that the person or system is stubborn, outdated, and out of touch with modern times.

• 守 (shǒu): This character means “to guard,” “to protect,” or “to keep.” Imagine a soldier (寸) guarding a post or a building (宀).
• 旧 (jiù): This character means “old,” “former,” or “past.” It's the opposite of 新 (xīn), which means “new.”
• The characters combine literally to mean “guarding the old.” This paints a vivid picture of someone actively defending old customs, ideas, or methods against the tide of the new, which is the core of the word's meaning.

In Chinese culture, particularly in the context of the last several decades of rapid modernization and reform, 守旧 (shǒujiù) has become a strongly critical term. Progress (进步, jìnbù) and innovation (创新, chuàngxīn) are highly valued social goals. Therefore, being 守旧 is often seen as an obstacle to individual and national development. A helpful Western comparison is the difference between “traditional” and “old-fashioned.”

• “Traditional” (传统, chuántǒng): This can be a very positive word in both cultures. “Traditional values” or “traditional celebrations” evoke a sense of heritage, respect, and cultural richness.
• “Old-fashioned” or “Conservative” (守旧, shǒujiù): While “conservative” can be a neutral political or personal stance in the West, 守旧 in Chinese is almost always a criticism. It implies a stubborn, unthinking refusal to adapt. Accusing someone of being 思想守旧 (sīxiǎng shǒujiù)—having an old-fashioned mindset—is a direct critique of their inability to keep up with the times. This reflects a cultural tension between respecting elders and tradition while simultaneously striving for a modern, globalized future.

守旧 (shǒujiù) is primarily used to express disapproval. It's a common word in conversations about generational differences, business practices, and social norms.

• Generational Gaps: Younger people might use it to describe their parents' or grandparents' views on topics like marriage, careers, or technology.
• Business and Technology: A company that refuses to adopt new software, update its business model, or embrace e-commerce would be described as 守旧.
• Social Commentary: It can be used to criticize outdated rules, regulations, or social attitudes that are seen as holding society back.

The connotation is consistently negative. You would rarely, if ever, use 守旧 to praise someone. It implies a lack of flexibility and foresight.

• Example 1:
  • 他的思想太守旧了，完全不能接受新事物。
  • Pinyin: Tā de sīxiǎng tài shǒujiù le, wánquán bùnéng jiēshòu xīn shìwù.
  • English: His way of thinking is too old-fashioned; he's completely unable to accept new things.
  • Analysis: This is a very common usage, directly criticizing a person's mindset as being rigid and outdated.
• Example 2:
  • 这家公司的管理方法非常守旧，难怪会亏损。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī de guǎnlǐ fāngfǎ fēicháng shǒujiù, nánguài huì kuīsǔn.
  • English: This company's management methods are extremely old-fashioned, no wonder it's losing money.
  • Analysis: Here, 守旧 is used to explain a negative outcome (losing money). It links outdated practices with failure.
• Example 3:
  • 我不是守旧，我只是觉得有些传统值得保留。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bùshì shǒujiù, wǒ zhǐshì juéde yǒuxiē chuántǒng zhídé bǎoliú.
  • English: I'm not old-fashioned, I just think some traditions are worth preserving.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows someone defending themselves against the accusation of being 守旧. They draw a clear line between being stubbornly “old-fashioned” and selectively “preserving tradition” (保留传统).
• Example 4:
  • 在这个快速变化的时代，守旧就意味着落后。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhège kuàisù biànhuà de shídài, shǒujiù jiù yìwèizhe luòhòu.
  • English: In this era of rapid change, being conservative means falling behind.
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses a widely held belief in modern China, equating being 守旧 with being backward (落后).
• Example 5:
  • 爷爷总是抱怨现在的年轻人，说他们丢掉了传统，但我觉得他有点太守旧了。
  • Pinyin: Yéye zǒngshì bàoyuàn xiànzài de niánqīngrén, shuō tāmen diū diào le chuántǒng, dàn wǒ juéde tā yǒudiǎn tài shǒujiù le.
  • English: Grandpa always complains about young people today, saying they've lost tradition, but I think he's a bit too old-fashioned.
  • Analysis: A classic example of describing a generational gap in attitudes. The use of “有点” (yǒudiǎn) “a bit” softens the criticism slightly.
• Example 6:
  • 我们需要改革，不能再守旧下去了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào gǎigé, bùnéng zài shǒujiù xiàqù le.
  • English: We need to reform; we can't continue being so conservative.
  • Analysis: This is a call to action, framing 守旧 as something that must be stopped or overcome.
• Example 7:
  • 他在艺术创作上不愿尝试新的风格，显得十分守旧。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài yìshù chuàngzuò shàng bù yuàn chángshì xīn de fēnggé, xiǎnde shífēn shǒujiù.
  • English: He is unwilling to try new styles in his artistic creation, appearing very old-fashioned.
  • Analysis: This shows how 守旧 can be applied to creative fields, criticizing a lack of innovation.
• Example 8:
  • 有些人把守旧和坚持原则混为一谈。
  • Pinyin: Yǒuxiē rén bǎ shǒujiù hé jiānchí yuánzé hùn wéi yītán.
  • English: Some people confuse being old-fashioned with sticking to principles.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights a nuance, suggesting that what one person calls 守旧, another might see as a positive trait (sticking to principles). It shows the subjective nature of the label.
• Example 9:
  • 这个村子依然保留着几百年前的习俗，在一些人看来可能很守旧。
  • Pinyin: Zhège cūnzi yīrán bǎoliú zhe jǐ bǎi nián qián de xísú, zài yīxiē rén kànlái kěnéng hěn shǒujiù.
  • English: This village still maintains customs from several hundred years ago, which might seem very old-fashioned to some people.
  • Analysis: This example frames 守旧 as a matter of perspective (“to some people, it may seem…”). It acknowledges that holding onto old ways can be viewed negatively.
• Example 10:
  • 别那么守旧了，试试用手机支付吧，又方便又快！
  • Pinyin: Bié nàme shǒujiù le, shìshi yòng shǒujī zhīfù ba, yòu fāngbiàn yòu kuài!
  • English: Don't be so old-fashioned! Try using mobile payment, it's both convenient and fast!
  • Analysis: A perfect example from daily life, encouraging someone to adopt a new technology by labeling their reluctance as 守旧.

The most common mistake for English speakers is to use 守旧 (shǒujiù) as a neutral equivalent for “conservative” or “traditional.”

• False Friend: “Traditional”
  • Correct: 我喜欢中国的传统建筑。(Wǒ xǐhuān Zhōngguó de chuántǒng jiànzhù.) - I like traditional Chinese architecture. (Positive/Neutral)
  • Incorrect: 我喜欢中国的守旧建筑。(Wǒ xǐhuān Zhōngguó de shǒujiù jiànzhù.) - This sounds very strange, as if you like “stubbornly outdated” architecture. 守旧 describes mindsets and practices, not typically objects in a positive way. If you use it for an object, it implies it's functionally obsolete.
• Key Distinction: 守旧 vs. 保守 (bǎoshǒu)
  • 守旧 (shǒujiù) emphasizes being “stuck in the past” and clinging to old things. Its focus is on the “old” (旧).
  • 保守 (bǎoshǒu) also means “conservative” but emphasizes being “cautious,” “risk-averse,” and resistant to drastic change. Its focus is on “guarding” (保) the status quo. While also often negative, 保守 can be used in more formal, political, or economic contexts (e.g., a “conservative estimate” is a 保守估计, bǎoshǒu gūjì). 守旧 is more personal and judgmental.

• 传统 (chuántǒng) - Traditional. A related concept that is often neutral or positive, referring to customs and heritage worth preserving.
• 保守 (bǎoshǒu) - Conservative. A close synonym, also often negative, but can be more formal and implies caution and risk-aversion rather than just being stuck in the past.
• 创新 (chuàngxīn) - Innovation, to innovate. The direct antonym of being 守旧.
• 落后 (luòhòu) - To fall behind, backward. This is often seen as the direct consequence of being 守旧.
• 固执 (gùzhí) - Stubborn, obstinate. A personality trait often used to describe a 守旧 person.
• 陈旧 (chénjiù) - Outdated, obsolete. Primarily used to describe things, ideas, or equipment, whereas 守旧 is more often used for people's mindsets or systems.
• 思想 (sīxiǎng) - Thought, thinking, ideology. Frequently combined as 思想守旧 (sīxiǎng shǒujiù) to mean “to have an old-fashioned mindset.”
• 与时俱进 (yǔ shí jù jìn) - A popular idiom meaning “to keep up with the times.” It represents the ideal behavior that is the complete opposite of 守旧.