# 依然故我

yī rán gù wǒ

Remain as one was before

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Still the former self

**Register:** General · spoken & written

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

## When to use it

Describe continued habits or character despite changing circumstances.

The context decides whether the persistence is welcome or limiting.

## The image & its use

A new setting does not always change the way a person behaves. Someone who has enjoyed quiet mornings for years may keep the same routine after moving to a busy city. This expression describes that continuity of self or habit. It can sound affectionate when the familiar quality is valued, or critical when a needed adjustment has not happened. Give the relevant behavior and the changed circumstances so the reader can understand why remaining the same is being noticed.

## Examples

搬到新城市后，他依然故我，每天清早散步。

### Traditional Chinese

搬到新城市後，他依然故我，每天清早散步。

bān dào xīn chéng shì hòu ， tā yī rán gù wǒ ， měi tiān qīng zǎo sàn bù 。

After moving to a new city, he still took an early walk every day.

多年不见，她依然故我，待人亲切。

### Traditional Chinese

多年不見，她依然故我，待人親切。

duō nián bú jiàn ， tā yī rán gù wǒ ， dài rén qīn qiè 。

After many years, she was still her familiar, warm self.

提醒过几次，他还是依然故我，文件摆得很乱。

### Traditional Chinese

提醒過幾次，他還是依然故我，文件擺得很亂。

tí xǐng guò jǐ cì ， tā hái shì yī rán gù wǒ ， wén jiàn bǎi dé hěn luàn 。

Despite several reminders, he kept leaving the files untidy.

环境变了，她对阅读的热爱却依然故我。

### Traditional Chinese

環境變了，她對閱讀的熱愛卻依然故我。

huán jìng biàn le ， tā duì yuè dú de rè ài què yī rán gù wǒ 。

The surroundings changed, but her love of reading remained the same.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1258&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%BE%9D%E7%84%B6%E6%95%85%E6%88%91)

## Keep exploring

- [一日千里 yī rì qiān lǐ Make exceptionally rapid progress ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yi-ri-qian-li)

- [永垂不朽 yǒng chuí bù xiǔ Be remembered with lasting honor ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yong-chui-bu-xiu)

- [雨后春笋 yǔ hòu chūn sǔn Many new things emerge rapidly ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yu-hou-chun-sun)

- [与时俱进 yǔ shí jù jìn Keep pace with the times ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yu-shi-ju-jin)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 异曲同工 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yi-qu-tong-gong) [Next idiom 一日千里 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yi-ri-qian-li)