rùxiāngsuísú: 入乡随俗 - When in Rome, do as the Romans do

• Keywords: rù xiāng suí sú, 入乡随俗, when in Rome, Chinese etiquette, cultural adaptation, local customs, Chinese culture, traveling in China, living in China, Chinese idiom, chengyu, adapt to local culture.
• Summary: The Chinese idiom 入乡随俗 (rù xiāng suí sú) is the essential survival guide for anyone interacting with Chinese culture. Literally meaning “enter the village, follow the customs,” it's the equivalent of “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” This page explores not just the translation, but the deep cultural importance of adapting to local norms—from business meetings to dinner tables—as a sign of respect, humility, and a desire for social harmony. Understanding this concept is key to navigating China gracefully and building positive relationships.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): rù xiāng suí sú
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (成语) / Idiom; can function as a verb phrase.
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: When you enter a new region, you should follow its local customs and conventions.
• In a Nutshell: This isn't just a piece of friendly advice; it's a core principle in Chinese social interaction. 入乡随俗 (rù xiāng suí sú) is about being observant, flexible, and respectful of the local way of life. It emphasizes blending in to maintain social harmony (和谐, héxié) and show that you are a considerate and culturally aware person. It's the opposite of imposing your own habits on others in their own environment.

• 入 (rù): To enter or go into. Picture a person walking through a doorway.
• 乡 (xiāng): Village, hometown, or countryside. This character represents a specific locality with its own unique community.
• 随 (suí): To follow, to comply with, or to go along with.
• 俗 (sú): Custom, convention, or social norm.

These four characters combine to create a very literal and vivid image: “When you enter (入) a village (乡), you follow (随) its customs (俗).” This straightforward structure makes the idiom easy to remember and understand.

• Harmony over Individualism: At its heart, 入乡随俗 reflects the importance of collectivism and social harmony in Chinese culture. The goal is to integrate smoothly into a group or environment, rather than standing out as an individual who does things their own way. Causing awkwardness or making others feel uncomfortable by ignoring their customs is seen as disrespectful.
• Comparison to “When in Rome…”: While the English phrase “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” is an excellent translation, the cultural weight behind 入乡随俗 is arguably stronger. In the West, the phrase is often practical advice to avoid trouble or have a better time. In China, it's a moral and social imperative. Actively practicing 入乡随俗 is a way to give “face” (面子, miànzi) to your hosts and demonstrate your good character and respect for their culture. It's less about your own convenience and more about your consideration for others.
• A Sign of Humility and Respect: Making an effort to eat with chopsticks, participate in toasts at a banquet, or address elders correctly are all acts of 入乡随俗. This shows humility and a willingness to learn, which is highly valued and is the fastest way to earn goodwill and build genuine connections (关系, guānxi).

• For Travelers: This is the most common context. You'll hear this phrase when discussing food, social etiquette, or regional differences. If you hesitate to try a local delicacy, a friend might encourage you by saying, “入乡随俗吧!” (rù xiāng suí sú ba! - “Just go with the local custom!”). It applies to everything from taking off your shoes before entering a home to understanding the local queuing (or lack of queuing) culture.
• In Business: For professionals, 入乡随俗 is crucial. This means adapting to Chinese business etiquette, which might include participating in long banquets, engaging in rounds of toasts with baijiu (白酒), exchanging business cards with two hands, and understanding that building a relationship often comes before discussing business details. Ignoring these customs can be perceived as arrogant and may damage business prospects.
• For Expats and Students: Anyone living in China long-term uses this principle for daily survival and integration. It could mean adapting to local shopping habits (like using WeChat Pay for everything), getting used to different concepts of personal space, or learning to drink hot water instead of cold. It's a mantra for navigating the countless small differences in daily life.

• Example 1:
  • 到了中国，你就要学会用筷子，这叫入乡随俗。
  • Pinyin: Dào le Zhōngguó, nǐ jiù yào xuéhuì yòng kuàizi, zhè jiào rù xiāng suí sú.
  • English: Now that you're in China, you have to learn to use chopsticks. This is called “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of giving advice to a newcomer. It frames learning a new skill as a matter of cultural adaptation.
• Example 2:
  • 我一开始不习惯喝热水，但为了入乡随俗，现在已经离不开了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yī kāishǐ bù xíguàn hē rèshuǐ, dàn wèile rù xiāng suí sú, xiànzài yǐjīng lí bù kāi le.
  • English: At first, I wasn't used to drinking hot water, but in order to adapt to the local custom, I can't live without it now.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows someone reflecting on their own successful process of adaptation. It has a positive and slightly proud connotation.
• Example 3:
  • 这里的商业文化就是要先喝酒再谈生意，咱们入乡随俗吧。
  • Pinyin: Zhèlǐ de shāngyè wénhuà jiùshì yào xiān hējiǔ zài tán shēngyì, zánmen rù xiāng suí sú ba.
  • English: The business culture here is to drink first and then talk business. Let's just go with the flow.
  • Analysis: Used in a business context, this suggests adapting to local professional norms, even if they differ from one's own.
• Example 4:
  • 尽管这道菜看起来很奇怪，但入乡随俗，我还是想尝一尝。
  • Pinyin: Jǐnguǎn zhè dào cài kànqǐlái hěn qíguài, dàn rù xiāng suí sú, wǒ háishì xiǎng cháng yī cháng.
  • English: Although this dish looks very strange, “When in Rome,” so I still want to give it a try.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates using the idiom to give oneself the courage to try something new and unfamiliar, particularly food.
• Example 5:
  • A: 为什么他们吃饭声音那么大？ B: 每个地方的习惯不一样，我们要入乡随俗，尊重他们。
  • Pinyin: A: Wèishénme tāmen chīfàn shēngyīn nàme dà? B: Měi ge dìfāng de xíguàn bù yīyàng, wǒmen yào rù xiāng suí sú, zūnzhòng tāmen.
  • English: A: Why are they eating so loudly? B: Every place has different customs. We should adapt and respect them.
  • Analysis: Here, the idiom is used to encourage tolerance and non-judgment when encountering a cultural practice that might seem strange or rude from an outsider's perspective.
• Example 6:
  • 他很懂得入乡随俗，才来一个月，就已经能和邻居们打成一片了。
  • Pinyin: Tā hěn dǒngde rù xiāng suí sú, cái lái yī ge yuè, jiù yǐjīng néng hé línjūmen dǎ chéng yī piàn le.
  • English: He really knows how to adapt to local customs; he's only been here a month and has already become great friends with the neighbors.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the idiom to praise someone for their adaptability and social skills.
• Example 7:
  • 在日本，进门要脱鞋，我们当然要入乡随俗。
  • Pinyin: Zài Rìběn, jìn mén yào tuōxié, wǒmen dāngrán yào rù xiāng suí sú.
  • English: In Japan, you have to take off your shoes when entering a house. Of course, we must follow the local custom.
  • Analysis: This shows that the concept isn't limited to just China; it's a universal principle for respectful travel anywhere.
• Example 8:
  • 我们的导游告诉我们，到一个新的地方旅游，最重要的就是入乡随俗。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de dǎoyóu gàosù wǒmen, dào yī ge xīn de dìfāng lǚyóu, zuì zhòngyào de jiùshì rù xiāng suí sú.
  • English: Our tour guide told us that when traveling to a new place, the most important thing is to adapt to local customs.
  • Analysis: A straightforward sentence showing how the idiom is explicitly taught as a “golden rule” of travel.
• Example 9:
  • 如果你想在这里成功，就必须入乡随俗，了解本地人的想法。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ xiǎng zài zhèlǐ chénggōng, jiù bìxū rù xiāng suí sú, liǎojiě běndìrén de xiǎngfǎ.
  • English: If you want to succeed here, you must adapt to the local ways and understand the local people's mindset.
  • Analysis: This links 入乡随俗 directly to achieving success, whether in business, academics, or social life.
• Example 10:
  • 别抱怨了，入乡随俗嘛，慢慢你就会习惯的。
  • Pinyin: Bié bàoyuàn le, rù xiāng suí sú ma, mànmàn nǐ jiù huì xíguàn de.
  • English: Stop complaining. It's just a matter of adapting to local customs. You'll get used to it slowly.
  • Analysis: Here, the phrase is used to gently stop someone from complaining and encourage a more positive, adaptive attitude.

• More Than Just a Suggestion: A common mistake for learners is to treat 入乡随俗 as light, optional advice, like its English equivalent. In many Chinese contexts, it's a strong social expectation. Ignoring local customs can be seen as rude or arrogant, not just quirky.
• It's Not a Pass for Bad Behavior: 入乡随俗 is about respecting positive or neutral social norms (like dining etiquette or holiday traditions). It should not be used to justify participating in illegal, unethical, or clearly negative behavior.
  • Incorrect: “大家都在闯红灯，我也闯，这叫入乡随俗。” (Dàjiā dōu zài chuǎng hóngdēng, wǒ yě chuǎng, zhè jiào rù xiāng suí sú.) - “Everyone is running the red light, so I'll do it too. It's 'When in Rome…'”
  • Why it's wrong: This misuses the idiom to excuse breaking the law. The phrase is about social harmony and respect, not about mindlessly copying all behaviors, especially dangerous or illegal ones.
• Knowing the Limits: Part of skillfully applying 入乡随俗 is knowing where to draw the line. For example, you can participate in the custom of toasting at a banquet, but you are not obligated to get dangerously drunk. It's about showing willing participation, not abandoning your personal well-being or core values.

• 客随主便 (kè suí zhǔ biàn): “The guest complies with the host's arrangements.” This is a more specific version of 入乡随俗, focusing on the guest-host relationship.
• 随大流 (suí dà liú): “To follow the crowd/mainstream.” This is similar but can sometimes have a slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of independent thought.
• 接地气 (jiē dì qì): “To be in touch with the earth's energy”; to be down-to-earth, unpretentious, and in touch with the common people. This is often the desired result of practicing 入乡随俗.
• 风俗习惯 (fēngsú xíguàn): “Customs and habits.” These are the things you are expected to follow when you 入乡随俗.
• 约定俗成 (yuēdìng súchéng): “Established by convention.” Describes a rule or custom that isn't written down but is widely accepted and followed by society.
• 和谐 (héxié): “Harmony.” This is the key cultural value and goal that underlies the importance of 入乡随俗.
• 见机行事 (jiàn jī xíng shì): “See the opportunity and act”; to be resourceful and act according to the situation. This is a necessary skill to apply 入乡随俗 effectively.
• 水土不服 (shuǐ tǔ bù fú): “Water and soil don't agree”; to be unaccustomed to the climate, food, or environment of a new place. This is the negative state that practicing 入乡随俗 helps to overcome.