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條條框框

简条条框框 · 繁條條框框

Mandarin · pinyin tiáo tiáo kuàng kuàng

fixed framework (idiom); restriction of social conventions and taboos (usually derogatory)
regulations and restrictions

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Characters in this entry

條: tiáo · clause, condition; string, stripe
框: kuàng · kuāng · frame; framework; door frame
条: tiáo · clause, condition; string, stripe

Written characters and their own readings; the entry’s pronunciation is shown above.

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Mandarin tones

2–2–4–4 · tiao2 tiao2 kuang4 kuang4

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Read this spelling in Classical texts

Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.

條條框框 · find source passages ↗ · 条条框框 · find source passages ↗

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Compare dictionary sources Wiktionary · 1 sense · 1 Cantonese reading

Rime Cantonese 粵拼

tiu4 tiu4 kwaang1 kwaang1

Cantonese word readings for 條條框框. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.

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Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section

Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.

phrase

(idiomatic) rigid and inflexible rules

Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history

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