循规蹈矩

循規蹈矩

xúnguī-dǎojǔ

idiom #14,418

Meanings

1 to follow the rules
2 to act by the book
3 to be conventional

Characters

set square; rule

Examples

HSK 1

他是一个循规蹈矩的人。

Tā shì yī gè xúnguī-dǎojǔ de rén.

He's a person who plays by the rules.

HSK 5

创新需要打破循规蹈矩的思维。

Chuàngxīn xūyào dǎpò xúnguī-dǎojǔ de sīwéi.

Innovation requires breaking out of conventional thinking.

Tips

history

Literally 'follow the compass and tread the set square' - 规 (compass) and 矩 (set square) are traditional tools for drawing circles and right angles, symbolizing rules and norms.

Stroke Order

循 xún

规 guī

蹈 dǎo

矩 jǔ