积重难返 jī zhòng nán fǎn

longstanding problems hard to change

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. ingrained habits are hard to overcome (idiom); bad old practices die hard

Characters

Character Meaning
积 jī HSK 4
to accumulate; to amass; to store
重 zhòng HSK 3
heavy; to attach importance to; serious
难 nán HSK 3
difficult; difficult (to...); difficulty
返 fǎn HSK 5
to return (to)