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按部就班

àn bù jiù bān

to do things step by step, by the usual routine

Character by character

按àn
by
部bù
section
就jiù
take
班bān
rank

Example

他做事总是按部就班，从来不着急，也很少出错。
He always does things step by step: never in a hurry, and he seldom makes mistakes.

Tone: neutral.

Usage and origin

First said of arranging a piece of writing in proper order. Approving when it means steady and methodical; mildly critical when it means following the routine without any initiative (只会按部就班).

Learn this in Lesson 17 · HSK 5: 中学生的一天 (A school day in China)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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