📖 Meaning
Describes a person who is calm and unhurried, moving or speaking at a steady, relaxed pace. It conveys composure and collectedness, without anxiety or haste. The phrase suggests deliberate, measured behavior regardless of circumstances.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from Chapter 19 of 'Flowers in the Mirror' (镜花缘) by Li Ruzhen, a Qing Dynasty writer. In the passage, a character is caught in an awkward predicament, lamenting that walking fast is bad, walking slowly is bad, and even walking neither fast nor slow is bad. From this humorous complaint about being at a loss either way, the phrase was later detached and redefined to praise a calm, unhurried manner.
💡 Example Usage
老人不紧不慢地说完整个故事，大家都听得入神。
The old man told the whole story unhurriedly, and everyone listened spellbound.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 不紧不慢
- Pinyin: bù jīn bù màn
- Literal Translation: not hurried, not slow
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4