ingrained habits are hard to change; deep-rooted problems resist reform
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
long-standing bad customs or habits are difficult to change; deep-rooted problems resist reform
formalOriginally referred to accumulated heavy burdens being hard to turn back. Now mainly used for long-standing negative social customs, bad habits, or deep-rooted management problems that are resistant to change. Often carries a tone of helplessness or severity.
Fǔ腐
bài败
wèn问
tí题
jī积
zhòng重
nán难
fǎn返
，
bì必
xū须
xià下
dà大
lì力
qi气
zhěng整
zhì治
。
Corruption problems are deep-rooted and require massive efforts to rectify.
Zhè这
gè个
huài坏
xí习
guàn惯
jī积
zhòng重
nán难
fǎn返
，
hěn很
nán难
chè彻
dǐ底
gǎi改
diào掉
。
This bad habit is so ingrained that it is difficult to completely break.
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Gōng公
sī司
de的
guǎn管
lǐ理
tǐ体
zhì制
jī积
zhòng重
nán难
fǎn返
，
xū需
yào要
chè彻
dǐ底
gǎi改
gé革
。
The company's management system has deep-rooted problems and requires thorough reform.
Yào要
gǎi改
biàn变
zhè这
zhǒng种
jī积
zhòng重
nán难
fǎn返
de的
jú局
miàn面
，
xū需
yào要
fù付
chū出
cháng长
qī期
nǔ努
lì力
。
Changing this kind of deep-rooted situation requires long-term effort.