📖 Meaning
It describes someone remaining exactly as they were before, without any improvement or change. The phrase conveys that a person's situation, character, or behavior has stayed the same despite the passage of time or changing circumstances.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces back to the Tang dynasty story "Liu Wushuang" by Xue Diao, which contains the line "The bond between maternal uncle and nephew remains as it was before" (舅甥之分，依然如故). Over time the wording shifted to 依然故我, turning the old relationship phrasing into a self-referential expression. It is also seen in later Qing writing, such as Wu Xiqi's preface to the poetry collection of Jia Muqiao.
💡 Example Usage
二十年过去了，他的脾气依然故我，一点也没有变。
Twenty years have passed, yet his temper remains exactly as it always was — he hasn't changed a bit.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 依然故我
- Pinyin: yī rán gù wǒ
- Literal Translation: still, as before, old, self
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4