朽木不可雕

朽木不可雕

Literally means:

rotten wood cannot be carved

Actually means:

an old dog cannot learn new tricks

朽木 refers to piece of rotten wood.

This phrase literally means a piece of rotten wood is useless for a woodsculptor, and it figuratively means that someone with no aspiration can never be cultivated into useful talents or that the situation deteriorates and is already hopeless. It implies a sense of disappointment. It is a written expression. Derogatory.

朽木，烂木头。

朽木不可雕，烂木头不能用来雕刻，比喻不要求上进的人无法培养成为有用的人才，或事物败坏到无法挽救的地步。含有失望的意味。书面语。具有贬义色彩。