改弦易辙

改弦易轍

gǎixián-yìzhé

idiom #87,754

Meanings

1 change the strings and switch the rut
2 to change course
3 to take a completely different approach

Characters

Examples

HSK 3

如果方法不对，就要及时改弦易辙。

Rúguǒ fāngfǎ bùduì, jiù yào jíshí gǎixián-yìzhé.

If the approach is wrong, change course without delay.

HSK 5

公司决定改弦易辙，转向新市场。

Gōngsī juédìng gǎixián-yìzhé, zhuǎnxiàng xīn shìchǎng.

The company decided to change course and pivot to a new market.

Tips

history

Combines two metaphors from Tang/Song writing: swapping a zither's strings 改弦 and changing the cart's rut 易辙. Both mean abandoning an established pattern for a new one.

usage

Formal, often used in commentary about strategy, policy, or organizational direction.

Stroke Order

改 gǎi

弦 xián

易 yì

辙 zhé