Chinese word

入乡随俗

Pronunciation

Pinyinrù xiāng suí sú

Meaning

  • idiomfollow local customs

Example

到别人家做客要入乡随俗。dào bié rén jiā zuò kè yào rù xiāng suí sú

When visiting someone else's home, guests should follow local customs.

Illustration for 入乡随俗 (follow local customs)

More examples

去外国旅行时要入乡随俗，尊重当地的风俗。qù wài guó lǚ xíng shí yào rù xiāng suí sú zūn zhòng dāng dì de fēng sú

When traveling abroad, follow local customs and respect local traditions.

Core concept

A newcomer lets the established ways of a place shape everyday conduct.

Common phrases

  • 到外国要入乡随俗dào wài guó yào rù xiāng suí sú

    follow local customs when abroad

  • 在当地要入乡随俗zài dāng dì yào rù xiāng suí sú

    follow local customs where you are

  • 旅行时要入乡随俗lǚ xíng shí yào rù xiāng suí sú

    follow local customs on a trip

Similar words

入乡问俗rù xiāng wèn sú: Learning local customs by asking people who live there.
随大流suí dà liú: Acting in the same way as the larger group.
见风使舵jiàn fēng shǐ duò: Adjusting a stance or plan whenever circumstances change.

Definition in Chinese

到外地或进入某个集体时，尊重并按照当地的风俗习惯行事。dào wài dì huò jìn rù mǒu gè jí tǐ shí zūn zhòng bìng àn zhào dāng dì de fēng sú xí guàn xíng shì

Word origin

入 (rù, "enter") + 乡 (xiāng, "local place") + 随 (suí, "follow") + 俗 (sú, "customs") creates a scene of entering a community and following its customs.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this idiom can describe joining a workplace, school, or social group, not only visiting another region.

Other meanings

  • do as the Romans doidiom

Opposites

  • 我行我素wǒ xíng wǒ sùdo things in one's own wayidiom
  • 特立独行tè lì dú xíngbehave independentlyidiom

Word lists with this word