📖 Meaning
Originally meant 'you walk slowly, I walk slowly; you walk fast, I walk fast.' It now describes someone who lacks independent judgment and blindly imitates or follows others in everything they do. The term carries a negative connotation of having no original ideas.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom comes from the Zhuangzi (庄子), specifically the chapter 'Tian Zifang' (田子方), a text from the Warring States period. It records the words of Yan Hui (颜回), the favorite disciple of Confucius (孔子), who described his attempts to follow his master: 'When the Master walks, I walk; when he hurries, I hurry; when he gallops, I gallop; when he races ahead leaving no dust behind, I can only stare blankly in his wake.' Over time the phrase evolved from a disciple's humble admiration into a criticism of mindless imitation.
💡 Example Usage
这家公司只会亦步亦趋地模仿竞争对手，毫无创新可言。
This company merely slavishly imitates its competitors, with no innovation to speak of.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 亦步亦趋
- Pinyin: yì bù yì qū
- Literal Translation: also walk, also hurry
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4