# 墨守成规

mò shǒu chéng guī

Cling rigidly to established rules

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Guard established practices firmly

**Traditional Chinese:** 墨守成規

**Register:** Critical · general

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

## When to use it

Criticize inflexible adherence to outdated routines.

Rules can still be valuable; the criticism concerns rigidity.

## Understanding the expression

Guarding a familiar rule becomes a problem when the guard refuses to consider changed circumstances. The expression criticizes rigid routine rather than the mere existence of standards. A school, business, or individual may keep an old method despite clear evidence that it no longer fits. The alternative is thoughtful adaptation, not abandoning all discipline. Explain which condition has changed so the need for flexibility is grounded rather than fashionable change for its own sake.

## Examples

市场变了，不能墨守成规。

### Traditional Chinese

市場變了，不能墨守成規。

shì chǎng biàn le ， bù néng mò shǒu chéng guī 。

The market has changed; we cannot cling to old rules.

她改进教学，不肯墨守成规。

### Traditional Chinese

她改進教學，不肯墨守成規。

tā gǎi jìn jiào xué ， bù kěn mò shǒu chéng guī 。

She improves teaching rather than follow routines rigidly.

审批部门墨守成规，拖慢了项目。

### Traditional Chinese

審批部門墨守成規，拖慢了項目。

shěn pī bù mén mò shǒu chéng guī ， tuō màn le xiàng mù 。

Rigid procedures slowed the project.

尊重传统不等于墨守成规。

### Traditional Chinese

尊重傳統不等於墨守成規。

zūn zhòng chuán tǒng bù děng yú mò shǒu chéng guī 。

Respecting tradition does not mean rigidly refusing change.

## 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=%E5%A2%A8%E5%AE%88%E6%88%90%E8%A6%8F)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=506&webMd=1&la=0)

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