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一如既往 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
一如既往yìrújìwǎngjust as in the past (idiom); as beforeHSK 7, i, rank #9182, Hard
一如既往yìrújìwǎngcontinuing as alwaysHSK 7, i, rank #9182, Hard
yìrújìwǎng(yi4ru2ji4wang3) T1
  1. 1just as in the past (idiom); as before
  2. 2continuing as always
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March 24, 2026
一如既往yìrújìwǎng(yi4ru2ji4wang3)

一如既往 is an idiom that means to continue doing something in the same way as before, without any changes. It is often used to express consistency in behavior or attitude over time, indicating reliability and steadfastness in actions or feelings.

Frequency#9182DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of consistency is highly valued, especially in relationships and business. The idiom exemplifies the importance of trust and reliability, which are key elements in maintaining harmony in personal and professional interactions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person walking on a path (一) that remains unchanged (如) over the years (既往). Visualize them confidently taking the same steps every day, reflecting the idea of consistency and continuity in their journey.

Meanings of 一如既往

yìrújìwǎng(yi4ru2ji4wang3)
1just as in the past (idiom); as before
2continuing as always
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 一如既往

一如既往Simplified
Strokes
Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#9182Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 一如既往

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Podcast: 一如既往

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AI Study Notes for 一如既往

Quick Contrast

一如既往 (yìrújìwǎng) vs 始终如一 (shǐzhōngrúyī) — use 一如既往 when emphasizing continuity in behavior over time, while 始终如一 focuses more on uniformity and consistency in quality or standard.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person walking on a path (一) that remains unchanged (如) over the years (既往). Visualize them confidently taking the same steps every day, reflecting the idea of consistency and continuity in their journey.

Usage Notes

This idiom is typically used in both formal and informal contexts. A common mistake is to use it in situations where change is clearly occurring, such as saying, '我的态度一如既往' when the attitude has indeed changed. Be mindful of the tone and context in which you use it.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 expression, 一如既往 can be related to other idioms and phrases that convey consistency and reliability. Students should focus on understanding its nuances in different contexts and practice using it in sentences that highlight continuity.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of consistency is highly valued, especially in relationships and business. The idiom exemplifies the importance of trust and reliability, which are key elements in maintaining harmony in personal and professional interactions.

Common Mistakes

Learners might mistakenly use this idiom in contexts where there has been a significant change. For example, saying '他的态度一如既往' after a clear shift in attitude would be incorrect; instead, it should reflect true continuity.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 一如既往

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Idiom Spotlight: 一如既往

Chengyu Origin Story
Literal meaning:one like already (past) and (continuing)

Component Characters

one
HSK 11 strokes
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as
HSK 56 strokes
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already
HSK 49 strokes
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wǎngto go (in a direction)
HSK 28 strokes
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Write 一如既往

Practice writing 一如既往 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 一如既往

一如既往 functions as a four-character idiom (成语). Treat it as a fixed unit; it usually plays the role of a single adjective, adverb, or noun phrase inside the larger sentence. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

他们的作品____地引人入胜、气韵潇洒、新颖别致,不会让你失望。

Their work has all the usual punch, panache and flair you'dexpect.

Example Sentences for 一如既往 (2)

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1
他们的作品一如既往地引人入胜、气韵潇洒、新颖别致,不会让你失望。

tā mén de zuò pǐn yī rú jì wǎng dì yǐn rén rù shèng、 、 qì yùn xiāo、 sǎ 、 xīn yǐng, bié zhì , bù huì ràng。

Their work has all the usual punch, panache and flair you'dexpect.
2
那声音一如既往地轻柔悦耳。

nà shēng yīn yī rú jì wǎng dì qīng róu yuè ěr。

The voice was as musi-cally soft as ever.

Cultural Notes for 一如既往

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of consistency is highly valued, especially in relationships and business. The idiom exemplifies the importance of trust and reliability, which are key elements in maintaining harmony in personal and professional interactions.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the idea of maintaining consistency might be viewed differently, often emphasizing adaptability and change, whereas in Chinese culture, consistency is often seen as a virtue.

Frequently Asked Questions about 一如既往

Yes, 一如既往 can be used in both spoken and written forms, but it is more commonly found in written contexts.