积重难返
jī zhòng nán fǎn
problems too deep-rooted to be easily put right
Character by character
积jī
pile up
pile up
重zhòng
heavy
heavy
难nán
hard
hard
返fǎn
turn back
turn back
Example
这家工厂的管理问题积重难返，新厂长一两年内也很难改变。
The factory’s management problems run so deep that even a new director could hardly change them in a year or two.
Tone: negative (criticism).
Usage and origin
Said of bad habits, abuses and structural problems that have built up over years: 积重难返的老问题. Common in commentary on reform; the point is that change will take great effort, not that it is impossible.
Learn this in Lesson 70 · HSK 6: 楼市的转折 (The property market turns)
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