zhōu
qiú
jiàn

HSK 7-9
idiom

Meaning of 刻舟求剑

刻舟求剑 means to be inflexible; to take measures without regard to changes in circumstances. Pronounced kè zhōu qiú jiàn. HSK 7-9.

  • to be inflexible; to take measures without regard to changes in circumstances

Definitions & Examples

jīn
shì
chǎng
shùn
wàn
biàn
 
men
de
yíng
xiāo
lvè
néng
zhōu
qiú
jiàn
 
líng
huó
tiáo
zhěng
 

The market changes rapidly nowadays; our marketing strategy cannot be inflexible and must be adjusted flexibly.

Yòng
èr
shí
nián
qián
de
guǎn
fāng
lái
guǎn
xiàn
zài
de
yuán
gōng
 
jiǎn
zhí
shì
zhōu
qiú
jiàn
 

Using management methods from twenty years ago to manage today's employees is just like trying to find a sword by marking the boat—completely impractical.

shǐ
jīng
yàn
rán
bǎo
guì
 
dàn
ruò
zhōu
qiú
jiàn
 
néng
shì
fǎn
 

Historical experience is certainly valuable, but if we apply it rigidly without considering new circumstances, we may achieve the opposite result.