law-abiding; know one's place; stick to one's lot
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
be law-abiding and know one's place; behave oneself
neutralDescribes a person who is content with their position, follows rules, and does not overstep boundaries. Often carries a connotation of being unambitious or passive. Can be used in both positive (praising stability) and slightly negative (criticizing lack of initiative) contexts.
Tā他
shì是
gè个
ān安
fèn分
shǒu守
jǐ己
de的
gōng公
wù务
yuán员
，
cóng从
bù不
rě惹
shì事
。
He is a law-abiding civil servant who never causes trouble.
Wǒ我
zhǐ只
xiǎng想
ān安
fèn分
shǒu守
jǐ己
de地
guò过
hǎo好
zì自
jǐ己
de的
xiǎo小
rì日
zi子
。
I just want to live my simple life quietly and within my means.
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Zài在
nà那
ge个
dòng动
luàn乱
de的
nián年
dài代
，
ān安
fèn分
shǒu守
jǐ己
shì是
zhǒng种
shēng生
cún存
zhì智
huì慧
。
In that turbulent era, keeping one's head down was a kind of survival wisdom.
Ān安
fèn分
shǒu守
jǐ己
gù固
rán然
hǎo好
，
dàn但
yǒu有
shí时
yě也
xū需
yào要
gǎn敢
yú于
chuàng创
xīn新
。
While it's good to be law-abiding, sometimes you also need the courage to innovate.