不思进取 (bù sī jìn qǔ)

idiom / adjective phrase HSK 5

Traditional 不思進取

bù sī jìn qǔ

not thinking of making progress · lacking ambition · content with the status quo · complacent

Meaning

This four-character idiom describes someone who lacks ambition or the desire to improve themselves. It refers to a person who is satisfied with their current situation and makes no effort to advance, develop, or achieve more. The phrase carries a negative judgment, suggesting laziness or complacency.

Usage

Used to criticize someone's lack of ambition or drive. Common in educational, workplace, and personal development contexts. Often appears in criticism or self-reflection. Can describe individuals or groups who have stopped striving for improvement.

Examples

01
他工作几年后就变得不思进取，每天混日子。
Tā gōng zuò jǐ nián hòu jiù biàn de bù sī jìn qǔ, měi tiān hùn rì zi.
After working for a few years, he became complacent and just went through the motions every day.
02
年轻人千万不能不思进取，要不断学习提高自己。
Nián qīng rén qiān wàn bù néng bù sī jìn qǔ, yào bù duàn xué xí tí gāo zì jǐ.
Young people must not lack ambition; they should continuously learn and improve themselves.

Characters

Common collocations

不思进取的人
bù sī jìn qǔ de rén
a person lacking ambition
变得不思进取
biàn de bù sī jìn qǔ
to become complacent

Antonyms

Origin

Literally means 'not thinking of advancing and obtaining.' The phrase combines classical Chinese characters to form a literary expression that has been used for centuries to describe lack of ambition or drive for self-improvement.