江山易改，本性难移 in English jiang1 shan1 yi4 gai3 , ben3 xing4 nan2 yi2 Meaning

Meanings

  • it is easier to change mountains and rivers than to alter one's character (idiomatic expression)
  • you can't change who you are
  • Can the leopard change his spots?

Simplified Characters

江 山 易 改 ， 本 性 难 移

Traditional Characters

江 山 易 改 ， 本 性 難 移

Pinyin

jiang1 shan1 yi4 gai3 , ben3 xing4 nan2 yi2

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

江jiang1surname Jiang 山shan1surname Shan 易yi4surname Yi 改gai3to change ， 本ben3root 性xing4nature 难nan2difficult (to...) 移yi2to move