Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== shǒujiù: 守旧 - Conservative, Old-fashioned ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** shoujiu, 守旧, Chinese conservative, Chinese old-fashioned, meaning of shoujiu, traditional vs shoujiu, outdated Chinese, stubbornly traditional, resistant to change in Chinese * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **守旧 (shǒujiù)**, a common Chinese term for being "conservative" or "old-fashioned." This page breaks down its characters, cultural significance, and practical usage. Learn why **shǒujiù** often carries a negative connotation of being stubbornly resistant to change, unlike the more neutral English word "traditional," through clear examples and cultural context perfect for beginner learners. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shǒujiù * **Part of Speech:** Adjective * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** To be conservative, old-fashioned, or to stick to old ways. * **In a Nutshell:** **守旧 (shǒujiù)** describes someone or something that clings to the past and resists new ideas or change. While it can translate to "conservative," it almost always has a negative undertone, implying that the person or system is stubborn, outdated, and out of touch with modern times. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **守 (shǒu):** This character means "to guard," "to protect," or "to keep." Imagine a soldier (寸) guarding a post or a building (宀). * **旧 (jiù):** This character means "old," "former," or "past." It's the opposite of 新 (xīn), which means "new." * The characters combine literally to mean "guarding the old." This paints a vivid picture of someone actively defending old customs, ideas, or methods against the tide of the new, which is the core of the word's meaning. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In Chinese culture, particularly in the context of the last several decades of rapid modernization and reform, **守旧 (shǒujiù)** has become a strongly critical term. Progress (进步, jìnbù) and innovation (创新, chuàngxīn) are highly valued social goals. Therefore, being **守旧** is often seen as an obstacle to individual and national development. A helpful Western comparison is the difference between "traditional" and "old-fashioned." * **"Traditional" (传统, chuántǒng):** This can be a very positive word in both cultures. "Traditional values" or "traditional celebrations" evoke a sense of heritage, respect, and cultural richness. * **"Old-fashioned" or "Conservative" (守旧, shǒujiù):** While "conservative" can be a neutral political or personal stance in the West, **守旧** in Chinese is almost always a criticism. It implies a stubborn, unthinking refusal to adapt. Accusing someone of being **思想守旧 (sīxiǎng shǒujiù)**—having an old-fashioned mindset—is a direct critique of their inability to keep up with the times. This reflects a cultural tension between respecting elders and tradition while simultaneously striving for a modern, globalized future. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **守旧 (shǒujiù)** is primarily used to express disapproval. It's a common word in conversations about generational differences, business practices, and social norms. * **Generational Gaps:** Younger people might use it to describe their parents' or grandparents' views on topics like marriage, careers, or technology. * **Business and Technology:** A company that refuses to adopt new software, update its business model, or embrace e-commerce would be described as **守旧**. * **Social Commentary:** It can be used to criticize outdated rules, regulations, or social attitudes that are seen as holding society back. The connotation is consistently negative. You would rarely, if ever, use **守旧** to praise someone. It implies a lack of flexibility and foresight. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 他的思想太**守旧**了，完全不能接受新事物。 * Pinyin: Tā de sīxiǎng tài **shǒujiù** le, wánquán bùnéng jiēshòu xīn shìwù. * English: His way of thinking is too old-fashioned; he's completely unable to accept new things. * Analysis: This is a very common usage, directly criticizing a person's mindset as being rigid and outdated. * **Example 2:** * 这家公司的管理方法非常**守旧**，难怪会亏损。 * Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī de guǎnlǐ fāngfǎ fēicháng **shǒujiù**, nánguài huì kuīsǔn. * English: This company's management methods are extremely old-fashioned, no wonder it's losing money. * Analysis: Here, **守旧** is used to explain a negative outcome (losing money). It links outdated practices with failure. * **Example 3:** * 我不是**守旧**，我只是觉得有些传统值得保留。 * Pinyin: Wǒ bùshì **shǒujiù**, wǒ zhǐshì juéde yǒuxiē chuántǒng zhídé bǎoliú. * English: I'm not old-fashioned, I just think some traditions are worth preserving. * Analysis: This sentence shows someone defending themselves against the accusation of being **守旧**. They draw a clear line between being stubbornly "old-fashioned" and selectively "preserving tradition" (保留传统). * **Example 4:** * 在这个快速变化的时代，**守旧**就意味着落后。 * Pinyin: Zài zhège kuàisù biànhuà de shídài, **shǒujiù** jiù yìwèizhe luòhòu. * English: In this era of rapid change, being conservative means falling behind. * Analysis: This sentence expresses a widely held belief in modern China, equating being **守旧** with being backward (落后). * **Example 5:** * 爷爷总是抱怨现在的年轻人，说他们丢掉了传统，但我觉得他有点太**守旧**了。 * Pinyin: Yéye zǒngshì bàoyuàn xiànzài de niánqīngrén, shuō tāmen diū diào le chuántǒng, dàn wǒ juéde tā yǒudiǎn tài **shǒujiù** le. * English: Grandpa always complains about young people today, saying they've lost tradition, but I think he's a bit too old-fashioned. * Analysis: A classic example of describing a generational gap in attitudes. The use of "有点" (yǒudiǎn) "a bit" softens the criticism slightly. * **Example 6:** * 我们需要改革，不能再**守旧**下去了。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào gǎigé, bùnéng zài **shǒujiù** xiàqù le. * English: We need to reform; we can't continue being so conservative. * Analysis: This is a call to action, framing **守旧** as something that must be stopped or overcome. * **Example 7:** * 他在艺术创作上不愿尝试新的风格，显得十分**守旧**。 * Pinyin: Tā zài yìshù chuàngzuò shàng bù yuàn chángshì xīn de fēnggé, xiǎnde shífēn **shǒujiù**. * English: He is unwilling to try new styles in his artistic creation, appearing very old-fashioned. * Analysis: This shows how **守旧** can be applied to creative fields, criticizing a lack of innovation. * **Example 8:** * 有些人把**守旧**和坚持原则混为一谈。 * Pinyin: Yǒuxiē rén bǎ **shǒujiù** hé jiānchí yuánzé hùn wéi yītán. * English: Some people confuse being old-fashioned with sticking to principles. * Analysis: This sentence highlights a nuance, suggesting that what one person calls **守旧**, another might see as a positive trait (sticking to principles). It shows the subjective nature of the label. * **Example 9:** * 这个村子依然保留着几百年前的习俗，在一些人看来可能很**守旧**。 * Pinyin: Zhège cūnzi yīrán bǎoliú zhe jǐ bǎi nián qián de xísú, zài yīxiē rén kànlái kěnéng hěn **shǒujiù**. * English: This village still maintains customs from several hundred years ago, which might seem very old-fashioned to some people. * Analysis: This example frames **守旧** as a matter of perspective ("to some people, it may seem..."). It acknowledges that holding onto old ways can be viewed negatively. * **Example 10:** * 别那么**守旧**了，试试用手机支付吧，又方便又快！ * Pinyin: Bié nàme **shǒujiù** le, shìshi yòng shǒujī zhīfù ba, yòu fāngbiàn yòu kuài! * English: Don't be so old-fashioned! Try using mobile payment, it's both convenient and fast! * Analysis: A perfect example from daily life, encouraging someone to adopt a new technology by labeling their reluctance as **守旧**. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== The most common mistake for English speakers is to use **守旧 (shǒujiù)** as a neutral equivalent for "conservative" or "traditional." * **False Friend: "Traditional"** * **Correct:** 我喜欢中国的**传统**建筑。(Wǒ xǐhuān Zhōngguó de **chuántǒng** jiànzhù.) - I like traditional Chinese architecture. (Positive/Neutral) * **Incorrect:** 我喜欢中国的**守旧**建筑。(Wǒ xǐhuān Zhōngguó de **shǒujiù** jiànzhù.) - This sounds very strange, as if you like "stubbornly outdated" architecture. **守旧** describes mindsets and practices, not typically objects in a positive way. If you use it for an object, it implies it's functionally obsolete. * **Key Distinction: 守旧 vs. 保守 (bǎoshǒu)** * **守旧 (shǒujiù)** emphasizes being "stuck in the past" and clinging to old things. Its focus is on the "old" (旧). * **保守 (bǎoshǒu)** also means "conservative" but emphasizes being "cautious," "risk-averse," and resistant to drastic change. Its focus is on "guarding" (保) the status quo. While also often negative, **保守** can be used in more formal, political, or economic contexts (e.g., a "conservative estimate" is a 保守估计, bǎoshǒu gūjì). **守旧** is more personal and judgmental. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[传统]] (chuántǒng) - Traditional. A related concept that is often neutral or positive, referring to customs and heritage worth preserving. * [[保守]] (bǎoshǒu) - Conservative. A close synonym, also often negative, but can be more formal and implies caution and risk-aversion rather than just being stuck in the past. * [[创新]] (chuàngxīn) - Innovation, to innovate. The direct antonym of being **守旧**. * [[落后]] (luòhòu) - To fall behind, backward. This is often seen as the direct consequence of being **守旧**. * [[固执]] (gùzhí) - Stubborn, obstinate. A personality trait often used to describe a **守旧** person. * [[陈旧]] (chénjiù) - Outdated, obsolete. Primarily used to describe things, ideas, or equipment, whereas **守旧** is more often used for people's mindsets or systems. * [[思想]] (sīxiǎng) - Thought, thinking, ideology. Frequently combined as **思想守旧** (sīxiǎng shǒujiù) to mean "to have an old-fashioned mindset." * [[与时俱进]] (yǔ shí jù jìn) - A popular idiom meaning "to keep up with the times." It represents the ideal behavior that is the complete opposite of **守旧**.