official jargon; bureaucratic red tape; routine formalities
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
bureaucratic formalities; official routine; red tape
archaicOriginally referred to the formulaic closing ('等因') and opening ('奉此') of official documents in imperial times. Now used metaphorically to describe rigid, formalistic, or bureaucratic behavior that follows empty procedures without practical results. Often carries a negative connotation.
Wǒ我
men们
bù不
néng能
zhǐ只
shì是
děng等
yīn因
fèng奉
cǐ此
，
bì必
xū须
ná拿
chū出
qiè切
shí实
kě可
xíng行
de的
jiě解
jué决
fāng方
àn案
。
We cannot just go through the motions; we must come up with practical and feasible solutions.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
děng等
yīn因
fèng奉
cǐ此
de的
gōng公
wén文
zuò作
fēng风
，
yán严
zhòng重
zǔ阻
ài碍
le了
gōng工
zuò作
xiào效
lǜ率
。
This bureaucratic, red-tape style of document handling seriously hinders work efficiency.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Bié别
zǒng总
shì是
děng等
yīn因
fèng奉
cǐ此
de地
fū敷
yǎn衍
qún群
zhòng众
，
yào要
zhēn真
xīn心
shí实
yì意
wéi为
rén人
mín民
fú服
wù务
。
Don't just routinely perfunctorily deal with the masses; you must serve the people with sincerity.