Definition
老调重弹 is a four-character idiom meaning 'to repeat the same old argument or story' — literally 'to play the same old tune again'. It's used when someone brings up an idea, opinion, or complaint that they've expressed many times before, often with a slightly negative tone implying lack of originality or progress. You can use it in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in commentary, debate, or criticism.
f.e.
to repeat the same old argumentto rehash the same old story
Examples
- 老调重弹，。Tā měi cì kāihuì dōu lǎo diào chóng tán, dàjiā zǎo jiù tīng nì le.He rehashes the same old tune at every meeting; everyone is already tired of hearing it.
- 老调重弹，。Zhè piān wénzhāng búguò shì lǎo diào chóng tán, méiyǒu shénme xīn guāndiǎn.This article is just rehashing old arguments; there are no new viewpoints.
- 老调重弹，。Bié zài lǎo diào chóng tán le, wǒmen děi xiǎng diǎn xīn bànfǎ.Stop repeating the same old tune; we need to think of some new solutions.
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