"Lao sheng chang tan" literally means "the frequent sayings of an old scholar," and it is a metaphor for words that people are tired of hearing and that offer nothing new. This idiom comes from the Records of the Three Kingdoms, in the Book of Wei, in the Biography of Guan Lu. Guan Lu was a famous diviner during the Three Kingdoms period. He was highly skilled in divination, but his speech often quoted the classics and cited authorities, and he was mocked as "lao sheng chang tan." Later, this idiom was mostly used to describe remarks that are correct but lacking in novelty and have been repeated many times. In terms of usage, it often appears in discussions, speeches, or article criticism to indicate that a certain view has been mentioned repeatedly and lacks innovation. In emotional coloring, it carries a slight derogatory sense, suggesting that the speaker lacks new insights, but it is sometimes also used for self-deprecation, indicating that what one says is merely an old saying. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the dialectical view of innovation and tradition in Chinese traditional culture, respecting experience while also advocating bringing forth the new. Its deeper meaning lies in reminding people that in an era of information explosion, they should avoid repeating old tunes and should pursue fresh and unique expression.
📝 Example
1. The content of his report was all platitudes, and he did not propose any new solutions.
2. Although it is a platitude, a healthy diet and moderate exercise are indeed the key to staying in shape.