一成不变

一成不變

yīchéng-bùbiàn

idiom HSK 7 #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 bù néng yīchéng-bùbiàn.

Life can't stay the same forever.

规则不是一成不变的。

Guīzé bú shì yīchéng-bùbiàn de.

Rules are not set in stone.

他每天的生活都一成不变。

Tā měitiān de shēnghuó dōu yīchéng-bùbiàn.

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