江山易改本性难移

江山易改，本性难移

Literally means:

mountains and rivers are easy to change, but a person's nature is difficult to reform

Actually means:

it is difficult to change a person's nature

江山, mountains and rivers; 移, change.

This phrase figuratively means it is easy to change the shape of mountains and rivers, but it is very difficult to change human nature. It usually connotes that once one's ideas, habits and style have been established, it is difficult to change them. Derogatory

江山，山河；移，改变。

江山易改，本性难移，比喻山河容易改造，人的本性却很难改变。多用于指人在长时间形成的思想、习惯、作风等是很不容易改变的。具有贬义色彩。