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. ====== luòwǔ: 落伍 - Outdated, Behind the Times, To Fall Behind ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 落伍, luowu, Chinese for outdated, behind the times in Chinese, fall behind in Chinese, luowu meaning, what does luowu mean, old-fashioned in Chinese, obsolete in Chinese, out of touch, HSK 5 * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese term **落伍 (luòwǔ)**, which means "to be outdated," "behind the times," or "to fall behind." This entry explores its cultural significance in rapidly modernizing China, where keeping up with technology and trends is crucial. We'll break down the characters, provide practical example sentences, and compare it to similar words like 过时 (guòshí) and 落后 (luòhòu) to help you avoid common mistakes and use it like a native speaker. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** luòwǔ * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Adjective * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** To fall behind the times; to be outdated, old-fashioned, or obsolete. * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine a line of soldiers marching forward in perfect formation. **落伍 (luòwǔ)** is the feeling of falling out of that line and being left behind. It's used to describe people, ideas, technology, or styles that are no longer in step with the present. It carries a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of awareness or an inability to adapt to modern society. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **落 (luò):** To fall, to drop, to go down. Think of leaves **落**下 (luòxià - falling down) from a tree. * **伍 (wǔ):** A military unit, originally a squad of five soldiers; a rank or file. It represents a group, a line, or a company of people. When combined, **落伍 (luòwǔ)** literally means "to fall out of the ranks." This powerful military metaphor creates a vivid image of being left behind by the main group that is advancing. It's not just about being old; it's about being unable to keep up the pace. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In a country like China that has undergone decades of hyper-speed development, the concept of **落伍 (luòwǔ)** is incredibly relevant and carries significant social weight. The pace of change is so fast—in technology, social norms, and economics—that the fear of being left behind (怕落伍 - pà luòwǔ) is a common anxiety. An older person who can't use a smartphone to pay for groceries might be gently called **落伍**, as their inability to adapt separates them from the flow of modern life. This contrasts with Western concepts like "retro" or "vintage." While something "retro" in the West can be a cool, fashionable choice, calling something **落伍** is almost always a criticism. It implies irrelevance, not charming nostalgia. The term reflects a cultural emphasis on progress, adaptation, and **与时俱进 (yǔ shí jù jìn)** - keeping pace with the times. Being **落伍** can mean being disconnected from society's forward momentum. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **落伍** is a versatile term used in various everyday contexts: * **Technology:** This is the most common usage. Someone who doesn't use mobile payments (支付宝/微信支付), can't navigate a delivery app, or is unfamiliar with the latest social media platform is a prime candidate for being called **落伍**. * **Fashion and Trends:** It's used to describe clothing, hairstyles, or slang that are no longer in vogue. "That style of jeans is so **落伍**!" * **Ideas and Mindsets:** It can be used to critique conservative or traditional viewpoints that seem out of place in modern society. For example, criticizing outdated ideas about family or gender roles. * **Business and Industry:** A company using old technology or an inefficient business model would be described as **落伍**, implying it's at risk of being eliminated by competitors. The tone can range from lighthearted teasing among friends to a serious criticism of a person's or company's inability to adapt. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 现在在中国不用手机支付，感觉自己很**落伍**。 * Pinyin: Xiànzài zài Zhōngguó bù yòng shǒujī zhīfù, gǎnjué zìjǐ hěn **luòwǔ**. * English: Not using mobile payments in China now, I feel very behind the times. * Analysis: This is a classic example related to technology. It shows how failing to adopt a near-universal modern convenience can make someone feel **落伍**. * **Example 2:** * 他的一些想法太**落伍**了，完全跟不上时代。 * Pinyin: Tā de yīxiē xiǎngfǎ tài **luòwǔ** le, wánquán gēnbushàng shídài. * English: Some of his ideas are too outdated; they can't keep up with the times at all. * Analysis: Here, **落伍** is used as an adjective to criticize a person's mindset. "跟不上时代 (gēnbushàng shídài)" is a common phrase used alongside it. * **Example 3:** * 我再不学电脑，就要**落伍**了。 * Pinyin: Wǒ zài bù xué diànnǎo, jiù yào **luòwǔ** le. * English: If I don't learn how to use a computer soon, I'm going to fall behind. * Analysis: This sentence uses **落伍** as a verb, expressing the anxiety of being left behind by technological progress. * **Example 4:** * 这家公司的管理方式已经**落伍**，需要改革。 * Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī de guǎnlǐ fāngshì yǐjīng **luòwǔ**, xūyào gǎigé. * English: This company's management style is already obsolete and needs reform. * Analysis: A more formal, business-related use. It implies the company is no longer competitive. * **Example 5:** * “天啊，你还在用这个牌子的手机？太**落伍**了吧！” * Pinyin: "Tiān a, nǐ hái zài yòng zhège páizi de shǒujī? Tài **luòwǔ** le ba!" * English: "Oh my god, you're still using this brand of phone? That's so outdated!" * Analysis: This demonstrates an informal, teasing usage among friends. The particle "吧 (ba)" softens the tone. * **Example 6:** * 很多老年人害怕**落伍**，所以努力学习使用智能手机。 * Pinyin: Hěnduō lǎoniánrén hàipà **luòwǔ**, suǒyǐ nǔlì xuéxí shǐyòng zhìnéng shǒujī. * English: Many elderly people are afraid of falling behind, so they work hard to learn how to use smartphones. * Analysis: This highlights the social pressure associated with the term. * **Example 7:** * 他的穿着打扮有点**落伍**，像是十年前的风格。 * Pinyin: Tā de chuānzhuó dǎbàn yǒudiǎn **luòwǔ**, xiàng shì shí nián qián de fēnggé. * English: His style of dress is a bit old-fashioned, like a style from ten years ago. * Analysis: A common usage related to fashion and personal appearance. * **Example 8:** * 你是不是**落伍**了？这首歌去年就火了。 * Pinyin: Nǐ shìbushì **luòwǔ** le? Zhè shǒu gē qùnián jiù huǒ le. * English: Are you out of the loop? This song was popular last year. * Analysis: A common question used to point out that someone is late to a trend or piece of popular culture. * **Example 9:** * 如果一个国家不重视科技创新，就必然会**落伍**。 * Pinyin: Rúguǒ yī ge guójiā bù zhòngshì kējì chuàngxīn, jiù bìrán huì **luòwǔ**. * English: If a country does not value technological innovation, it will inevitably fall behind. * Analysis: This shows **落伍** used on a grand, macroeconomic scale. * **Example 10:** * 我们必须抛弃那些**落伍**的观念，接受新事物。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū pāoqì nàxiē **luòwǔ** de guānniàn, jiēshòu xīn shìwù. * English: We must abandon those outdated concepts and embrace new things. * Analysis: Here, **落伍的观念 (luòwǔ de guānniàn)** refers to an "outdated way of thinking." ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **落伍 (luòwǔ) vs. 旧 (jiù) / 老 (lǎo):** This is a critical distinction. * **旧 (jiù)** means "old" in the sense of not new, or used. A secondhand book is **旧书 (jiù shū)**. * **老 (lǎo)** means "old" in terms of age. An old person is **老人 (lǎorén)**. * **落伍 (luòwǔ)** means "outdated" or "obsolete" because it's no longer in line with current trends. An 80-year-old (**老**) person who uses all the latest apps is //not// **落伍**. A brand new phone (**新 xīn**) with terrible, outdated software //is// **落伍**. * **False Friend: "Out of date"**: Be careful. You can say "My milk is out of date," but you cannot say "我的牛奶落伍了 (Wǒ de niúnǎi luòwǔ le)." For expired goods, you must use **过期 (guòqī)**. **落伍** is reserved for trends, technology, ideas, and styles. * **Incorrect Usage Example:** * **Incorrect:** 这个面包很**落伍**，不能吃了。(Zhège miànbāo hěn **luòwǔ**, bùnéng chī le.) * **Why it's wrong:** **落伍** doesn't mean "expired." It refers to being behind the times. * **Correct:** 这个面包**过期**了，不能吃了。(Zhège miànbāo **guòqī** le, bùnéng chī le.) ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[过时]] (guòshí) - A very close synonym for **落伍**, also meaning "outdated" or "out of fashion." They are often interchangeable, though **落伍** can carry a stronger sense of being left behind by a group. * [[落后]] (luòhòu) - To lag behind; backward. This is a broader term. A country can be economically **落后** (underdeveloped), or a student can **落后** in their studies. **落伍** is more specific to social and technological trends. * [[与时俱进]] (yǔ shí jù jìn) - The perfect antonym. An idiom meaning "to keep up with the times." A person or company that is not **落伍** is one that can **与时俱进**. * [[新潮]] (xīncháo) - Trendy, fashionable. The direct opposite of **落伍** when describing styles or products. * [[陈旧]] (chénjiù) - Stale, outmoded, old-fashioned. Similar to **落伍**, but often used for ideas, equipment, or styles that have been around for a long time and feel stale. * [[守旧]] (shǒujiù) - Conservative; to stick to old ways. This describes the *mindset* or *behavior* that often leads to a person becoming **落伍**. * [[淘汰]] (táotài) - To eliminate through competition; to phase out. This is often the ultimate consequence of being **落伍**. An outdated product will be **淘汰** by the market.