拘泥

jūnì

verb #22,041

Meanings

1 to be a stickler for
2 to rigidly adhere to
3 to be constrained by
4 to cling to conventions

Characters

to restrain / to restrict / constrained

to cling to / to be stubborn (this reading; also 'mud' as ní)

Examples

HSK 6

做事不必拘泥于形式，结果更重要。

Zuòshì bùbì jūnì yú xíngshì, jiéguǒ gèng zhòngyào.

There is no need to be rigid about formalities - results matter more.

HSK 6

他太拘泥于规则，缺乏灵活性。

Tā tài jūnì yú guīzé, quēfá línghuóxìng.

He is too rigid about rules and lacks flexibility.

Tips

usage

拘泥 is typically followed by 于 (yú) + a noun: 拘泥于形式 (stickler for formalities), 拘泥于传统 (bound by tradition). It always carries a mildly negative connotation - excessive rigidity that prevents natural adaptation.

Stroke Order

拘 jū

泥 ní