xunguidaoju: 循规蹈矩 - To Follow the Rules, Conventional, Well-Behaved
Quick Summary
Keywords: xun gui dao ju, 循规蹈矩, follow the rules in Chinese, well-behaved Chinese idiom, toe the line Chinese, conventional, conformist, law-abiding, Chinese chengyu, Chinese idiom for rules, disciplined, by the book.
Summary: Discover the meaning of 循规蹈矩 (xún guī dǎo jǔ), a common Chinese idiom (chengyu) used to describe someone who is disciplined, conventional, and strictly follows the rules. This term can be a compliment for a reliable, law-abiding person or a criticism of someone who is overly rigid and lacks creativity. Understanding 循规蹈矩 is key to grasping Chinese cultural values related to social order, harmony, and the balance between tradition and innovation.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): xún guī dǎo jǔ
Part of Speech: Chengyu (四字成语) - Functions as an adjective or verb.
HSK Level: HSK 6
Concise Definition: To meticulously follow established rules and customs; to be conventional and well-behaved.
In a Nutshell: Imagine someone who always colors perfectly within the lines, never deviates from a recipe, and assembles IKEA furniture exactly according to the instructions. That is the essence of 循规蹈矩. It's about sticking to the script and following the proper procedure. This can be seen as a great strength (predictable, reliable, stable) or a weakness (inflexible, unimaginative, bureaucratic). The feeling of the word changes entirely based on the situation.
Character Breakdown
循 (xún): To follow, to abide by, to proceed along.
规 (guī): A rule, a regulation. Historically, it refers to a pair of compasses used for drawing circles.
蹈 (dǎo): To step on, to tread, to walk along.
矩 (jǔ): A rule. Historically, a carpenter's square used for drawing right angles.
These characters combine to create a powerful visual metaphor: “To follow the compass and tread along the carpenter's square.” This paints a picture of a person who walks a perfectly straight, measured, and pre-defined path, never straying from the established standards.
Cultural Context and Significance
循规蹈矩 is deeply rooted in Confucian ideals of social order (秩序, zhìxù) and harmony (和谐, héxié). In a collectivist culture, conforming to established norms is often seen as a virtue. It demonstrates respect for authority, tradition, and the well-being of the group. A 循规蹈矩 person contributes to a stable, predictable society where everyone knows their role and responsibilities.
Comparison to Western Culture: A close English equivalent is “to toe the line” or “to go by the book.” However, in many Western, individualistic societies, being a “rule-follower” can carry a slightly negative connotation, suggesting a lack of critical thinking or a sheep-like mentality. While 循规蹈矩 can certainly be used negatively in Chinese to mean “rigid” or “uncreative,” its potential as a high compliment is much stronger than its English counterparts. Praising a civil servant or an accountant for being 循规蹈矩 is a high honor, implying they are incorruptible, reliable, and trustworthy. The emphasis is less on blind obedience and more on disciplined, responsible conduct that benefits the collective.
Practical Usage in Modern China
This is a formal term, often used in writing, professional evaluations, or serious discussions about character.
As a Positive Trait: It's used to praise someone's reliability and discipline. In fields like accounting, engineering, and public service, being 循规蹈矩 is a highly valued quality.
As a Negative Trait: It's used to criticize inflexibility, bureaucracy, and a lack of innovation. A startup company that is too 循规蹈矩 will likely fail. An artist who is 循规蹈矩 will be considered boring.
As a Neutral Description: It can simply be a statement of fact about a person's character or lifestyle.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
他是个非常循规蹈矩的人，你交待给他的事，他一定会办好。
Pinyin: Tā shì ge fēicháng xún guī dǎo jǔ de rén, nǐ jiāodài gěi tā de shì, tā yīdìng huì bànhǎo.
English: He is a very rule-abiding and conscientious person; anything you entrust to him, he will surely get it done well.
Analysis: Here, the term is a high compliment. It emphasizes the person's reliability and trustworthiness in a professional context.
Example 2:
在这个快速变化的时代，过于循规蹈矩的公司很难生存。
Pinyin: Zài zhège kuàisù biànhuà de shídài, guòyú xún guī dǎo jǔ de gōngsī hěn nán shēngcún.
English: In this era of rapid change, companies that are too conventional and rigid will find it difficult to survive.
Analysis: This sentence uses the term in a clearly negative light. It contrasts being “by the book” with the need for adaptability and innovation.
Example 3:
我的父母希望我过一种循规蹈矩的生活：上大学，找个好工作，然后结婚生子。
Pinyin: Wǒ de fùmǔ xīwàng wǒ guò yī zhǒng xún guī dǎo jǔ de shēnghuó: shàng dàxué, zhǎo ge hǎo gōngzuò, ránhòu jiéhūn shēngzǐ.
English: My parents hope I live a conventional life: go to university, find a good job, then get married and have children.
Analysis: This usage is more neutral, describing a traditional, predictable life path. The speaker's feeling about it (whether it's good or bad) would depend on their own personal desires.
Example 4:
做艺术创作不能太循规蹈矩，要敢于打破常规。
Pinyin: Zuò yìshù chuàngzuò bù néng tài xún guī dǎo jǔ, yào gǎnyú dǎpò chángguī.
English: When creating art, you can't be too conventional; you have to dare to break the mold.
Analysis: This is a classic example of using the term as the opposite of creativity. It sets up a direct contrast with “breaking the mold” (打破常规).
Example 5:
他从小就是个循规蹈矩的好学生，从不给老师惹麻烦。
Pinyin: Tā cóngxiǎo jiùshì ge xún guī dǎo jǔ de hǎo xuéshēng, cóngbù gěi lǎoshī rě máfan.
English: Since he was young, he has been a well-behaved and rule-abiding student who never caused trouble for the teachers.
Analysis: In the context of a student, this is almost always positive. It describes the ideal disciplined student from a traditional teacher's perspective.
Example 6:
这家政府机构的办事流程非常循规蹈矩，效率很低。
Pinyin: Zhè jiā zhèngfǔ jīgòu de bànshì liúchéng fēicháng xún guī dǎo jǔ, xiàolǜ hěn dī.
English: This government agency's procedures are extremely bureaucratic and by-the-book, and the efficiency is very low.
Analysis: This is a common complaint about bureaucracy. 循规蹈矩 here implies a negative rigidity that hinders efficiency.
Example 7:
虽然他为人循规蹈矩，但关键时刻却能提出非常有创意的想法。
Pinyin: Suīrán tā wéirén xún guī dǎo jǔ, dàn guānjiàn shíkè què néng tíchū fēicháng yǒu chuàngyì de xiǎngfǎ.
English: Although he is a conventional person, he can come up with very creative ideas at critical moments.
Analysis: This sentence creates an interesting contrast, showing that someone can be generally rule-abiding in their daily life but still possess creativity.
Example 8:
你不必事事都循规蹈矩，偶尔变通一下也是可以的。
Pinyin: Nǐ búbì shìshì dōu xún guī dǎo jǔ, ǒu'ěr biàntōng yīxià yěshì kěyǐ de.
English: You don't have to follow the rules in everything; it's okay to be flexible sometimes.
Analysis: Here, the phrase is used as a verb phrase (“to follow the rules”). This is friendly advice, suggesting that being overly rigid isn't always necessary.
Example 9:
在学习初期，循规蹈矩地模仿是必要的步骤。
Pinyin: Zài xuéxí chūqī, xún guī dǎo jǔ de mófǎng shì bìyào de bùzhòu.
English: In the early stages of learning, imitating in a rule-based way is a necessary step.
Analysis: This shows a context where being “by the book” is a foundational and positive requirement before one can advance to more creative stages.
Example 10:
他的穿着打扮总是那么循规蹈矩，永远是一身西装。
Pinyin: Tā de chuānzhuó dǎbàn zǒngshì nàme xún guī dǎo jǔ, yǒngyuǎn shì yī shēn xīzhuāng.
English: His style of dress is always so conventional; it's always a suit.
Analysis: This is a neutral, descriptive use, but it could imply a lack of personal flair or imagination depending on the speaker's tone.
Nuances and Common Mistakes