# 陈陈相因

chén chén xiāng yīn

Repeat old patterns without renewal

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Old things continue upon old things

**Traditional Chinese:** 陳陳相因

**Register:** Critical · literary

[Change & possibility](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/change)

## When to use it

Criticize stale repetition of inherited methods.

Preserving something useful is not necessarily stagnation.

## Understanding the expression

The repeated character piles the old upon the old, making continuity seem like accumulation without renewal. The expression criticizes work that keeps reproducing inherited patterns even when circumstances require change. It often applies to writing, policy, or administrative habits. Tradition itself is not the target; the problem is failing to examine whether the pattern still works. A thoughtful continuation can preserve value, whereas unexamined repetition merely carries yesterday's limitations forward.

## Examples

报告陈陈相因，每年内容都一样。

### Traditional Chinese

報告陳陳相因，每年內容都一樣。

bào gào chén chén xiāng yīn ， měi nián nèi róng dōu yí yàng 。

The reports repeat stale material year after year.

课程不能陈陈相因，要回应新问题。

### Traditional Chinese

課程不能陳陳相因，要回應新問題。

kè chéng bù néng chén chén xiāng yīn ， yào huí yìng xīn wèn tí 。

Courses must respond to new issues rather than repeat old patterns.

这套流程陈陈相因，早已不合需要。

### Traditional Chinese

這套流程陳陳相因，早已不合需要。

zhè tào liú chéng chén chén xiāng yīn ， zǎo yǐ bù hé xū yào 。

The inherited process no longer meets current needs.

她打破陈陈相因的写法，加入新视角。

### Traditional Chinese

她打破陳陳相因的寫法，加入新視角。

tā dǎ pò chén chén xiāng yīn de xiě fǎ ， jiā rù xīn shì jiǎo 。

She broke the stale writing pattern with a new perspective.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%99%B3%E9%99%B3%E7%9B%B8%E5%9B%A0)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=503&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [重见天日 chóng jiàn tiān rì Emerge from confinement or obscurity ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chong-jian-tian-ri)

- [川流不息 chuān liú bù xī Flow continuously without stopping ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chuan-liu-bu-xi)

- [垂头丧气 chuí tóu sàng qì Visibly dejected after a setback ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chui-tou-sang-qi)

- [蠢蠢欲动 chǔn chǔn yù dòng Show signs of restless movement or impending action ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chun-chun-yu-dong)

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