luòwǔ: 落伍 - Outdated, Behind the Times, To Fall Behind

• Keywords: 落伍, luowu, Chinese for outdated, behind the times in Chinese, fall behind in Chinese, luowu meaning, what does luowu mean, old-fashioned in Chinese, obsolete in Chinese, out of touch, HSK 5
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 落伍 (luòwǔ), which means “to be outdated,” “behind the times,” or “to fall behind.”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.

• 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• Concise Definition: To fall behind the times; to be outdated, old-fashioned, or obsolete.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.

• 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.

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.

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 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.”

• 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.)

• 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.