时移势易 Times change
Explanation
指时代、形势、情况等都已经改变了。
means that the times, circumstances, and situation have all changed.
Origin Story
话说春秋时期，有个小国叫卫国，国君昏庸无道，朝政腐败，百姓苦不堪言。卫灵公时，朝中大臣勾心斗角，争权夺利，民不聊生。卫灵公宠幸一个名叫南子的女子，南子骄横跋扈，擅权专政，卫灵公对朝政置之不理。卫国逐渐衰弱，无力抵抗强邻的侵略，卫灵公对此也无能为力。后来，齐国强大的军队入侵卫国，卫灵公仓皇出逃，卫国灭亡。这个故事告诉我们，时移势易，任何一个国家或政权，如果不能与时俱进，适应时代的变化，最终都会走向衰亡。卫国的灭亡正是这个道理的体现。当时的卫国，已经失去了往日的辉煌，国力衰弱，政治腐败，人民生活困苦，这都是卫国灭亡的原因。而齐国的强大，则是因为它顺应了时代的变化，积极发展，国力强盛，最终战胜了卫国。因此，这个故事也提醒我们，要适应时代的变化，才能立于不败之地。
In ancient China, during the Spring and Autumn period, there was a small state called Wei. The ruler was incompetent and the government was corrupt, causing great suffering to the people. During the reign of Duke Ling of Wei, the court officials were engaged in power struggles, resulting in widespread misery among the populace. Duke Ling favored a woman named Nanzi, who was arrogant and domineering, and abused her power. As a consequence, the country grew increasingly weak, becoming defenseless against invasions by its powerful neighbors, a situation Duke Ling was unable to address. Eventually, a massive army from the state of Qi invaded and overwhelmed Wei, forcing Duke Ling to flee in a desperate attempt to save his life. Wei was ultimately destroyed. This story illustrates the idea of 'shi yi shi yi' – how times and circumstances change and those who cannot adapt are doomed to fail. The fall of Wei reflects this perfectly. Its weakness, corruption, and the misery of its people were all contributing factors to its demise, contrasted with Qi's success stemming from its ability to adapt to changing times, leading to its ultimate victory. Therefore, the story serves as a warning that to survive, adaptation to the changing currents of the world is essential.
Usage
作谓语、定语；指时代、形势都已变化。
Used as predicate or attributive; refers to the fact that times and circumstances have changed.
Examples
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过去的方法在今天已经行不通了，时移势易，我们应该改变策略。
guòqù de fangfa zài jīntiān yǐjīng xíng bù tōng le, shí yí shì yì, wǒmen yīnggāi gǎibiàn cèlüè.
The old methods are no longer feasible today; times have changed, and we should change our strategy.
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面对时移势易的形势，公司必须调整经营战略。
miàn duì shí yí shì yì de xíngshì, gōngsī bìxū tiáozhěng jīngyíng zhànlüè.
In the face of changing times, the company must adjust its business strategy.