不识时务 Bù shí shí wù Out of touch

Explanation

不识时务指的是不了解或不适应当前的社会形势和潮流，行为举止不合时宜，也指不了解或不适应时代发展趋势。

Bù shí shí wù refers to not understanding or not adapting to the current social situation and trends, behaving inappropriately, and also refers to not understanding or not adapting to the trend of social development.

Origin Story

东汉时期，张霸以清廉正直著称，他历任多个官职，都以他的才能和品德为百姓所爱戴。然而，当权贵邓骘想拉拢他时，张霸却婉拒了。邓骘对张霸的行为表示不解，认为张霸不识时务。然而，张霸心中自有主张，他深知官场险恶，不想卷入权力斗争，宁愿保持清白，也不愿为了私利而曲意逢迎。张霸最终以他淡泊名利的态度，在历史上留下了清正廉洁的好名声。这个故事告诉我们，不识时务有时并非完全是坏事，坚持自己的原则，保持清正廉洁，有时比迎合潮流更重要。

dōnghàn shíqī, zhāng bà yǐ qīnglián zhèngzhí zhùchēng, tā lì rèn duō gè guānzhí, dōu yǐ tā de cáinéng hé pǐndé wèi bǎixìng suǒ àidài. rán'ér, dāng quán guì dēng zhì xiǎng lā lóng tā shí, zhāng bà què wǎnjù le. dēng zhì duì zhāng bà de xíngwéi biǎoshì bù jiě, rènwéi zhāng bà bù shí shíwù. rán'ér, zhāng bà xīnzhōng zì yǒu zhǔzhāng, tā shēnzhī guānchǎng xiǎn'è, bù xiǎng juǎn rù quánlì dòuzhēng, níng yuàn bǎochí qīngbái, yě bù yuàn wèi le sīlì ér qū yì féng yíng. zhāng bà zuìzhōng yǐ tā dàn bó mínglì de tàidu, zài lìshǐ shàng liúxià le qīng zhèng liánjié de hǎo míngshēng. zhège gùshì gàosù wǒmen, bù shí shíwù yǒushí bìngfēi wánquán shì huài shì, jiānchí zìjǐ de yuánzé, bǎochí qīng zhèng liánjié, yǒushí bǐ yínghé cháoliú gèng zhòngyào.

During the Han Dynasty, Zhang Ba was known for his integrity and uprightness. He held many positions, and he was loved by the people for his ability and character. However, when the powerful Deng Zhi wanted to win him over, Zhang Ba politely refused. Deng Zhi was puzzled by Zhang Ba's behavior, believing that Zhang Ba was out of touch. However, Zhang Ba had his own principles. He knew the dangers of court politics and did not want to be involved in power struggles. He preferred to maintain his integrity rather than bend to please others for personal gain. Zhang Ba ultimately left a good reputation for integrity and incorruptibility in history with his detached attitude toward fame and fortune. This story tells us that being out of touch is not always a bad thing. Sticking to your principles and maintaining integrity is sometimes more important than following the trends.

Usage

形容人不明事理，不适应时代潮流，或者在人际交往中不得体。

xióngróng rén bù míng shìlǐ, bù shìyìng shídài cháoliú, huòzhě zài rénjì jiāowǎng zhōng bù détǐ

To describe someone who is not sensible, does not adapt to the trend of the times, or is inappropriate in interpersonal communication.

Examples

• 他过于固执，不识时务，最终错失良机。

  tā guòyú gùzhí, bù shí shíwù, zuìzhōng cuòshī liángjī

  He was too stubborn and out of touch, missing a golden opportunity.

• 年轻人应该勇于创新，不要不识时务地墨守成规。

  niánqīng rén yīnggāi yǒng yú chuàngxīn, bù yào bù shí shíwù de mòshǒu chéngguī

  Young people should dare to innovate and not stick to outdated rules.

• 在激烈的市场竞争中，不识时务的企业将很快被淘汰。

  zài jīliè de shìchǎng jìngzhēng zhōng, bù shí shíwù de qǐyè jiāng hěn kuài bèi táotài

  In the fierce market competition, companies that are out of touch will soon be eliminated.

• 面对新的挑战，我们必须与时俱进，不能不识时务。

  miànduì xīn de tiǎozhàn, wǒmen bìxū yǔ shí jùjìn, bù néng bù shí shíwù

  In the face of new challenges, we must keep up with the times and not be out of touch.

• 不识时务的人往往难以获得成功。

  bù shí shíwù de rén wǎngwǎng nán yǐ huòdé chénggōng

  Those who are out of touch are often difficult to succeed.

Related Idioms

• 墨守成规

• 因循守旧

• 固步自封

Opposite Idioms

• 与时俱进

• 顺应潮流

• 识时务者为俊杰