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本性难移
běn xìng nán yí◆idiom
one's true nature is hard to change
他本性难移，还是喜欢惹是生非。
He can't change his true nature and still likes to cause trouble.
informal
Describes the idea that a person's fundamental character or nature is difficult to alter, often implying that bad habits or inherent traits persist despite efforts to change.
她本性难移，依然喜欢说谎。
She can't change her true nature and still likes to lie.
这个人本性难移，总是自私自利。
This person can't change his true nature and is always selfish.
Often used to describe negative traits that persist despite attempts to change.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage Context
This idiom is often used in a negative context to describe persistent bad habits or traits.
Gold Rule
Literal vs. Figurative
The idiom is not about physical movement but about the difficulty of changing one's fundamental character.
Word Origin
The idiom combines '本性' (true nature) and '难移' (hard to change), reflecting the Confucian belief in the importance of moral character and the difficulty of altering inherent traits.
Usage Notes
This idiom is often used to describe negative traits or behaviors that persist despite efforts to change. It can also be used to describe habits or tendencies that are deeply ingrained.
Word Breakdown
本性
true nature
root难移
hard to change
root汉英词典