一成不变

一成不變

yīchéng-bùbiàn

idiom HSK 7-9 #15,259

Meanings

1 never changing; set in stone
2 invariable; always the same

Characters

to become; to form

Literally 'once formed, never changes' — once something takes shape, it stays that way forever.

Examples

生活不能一成不变。

Shēnghuó bùnéng yīchéngbùbiàn.

Life can't stay the same forever.

规则不是一成不变的。

Guīzé búshì yīchéngbùbiàn de.

Rules are not set in stone.

他每天的生活都一成不变。

Tā měitiān de shēnghuó dōu yīchéngbùbiàn.

His daily life never changes.

Tips

usage

一成不变 almost always carries a negative connotation — implying stagnation, boredom, or rigidity. You'd use it to complain about a monotonous routine or criticize someone's unwillingness to adapt, not to praise stability.

Stroke Order

一 yī

成 chéng

不 bù

变 biàn