<ol>
<li><p><code>按部就班</code> is not wrong and is in fact etymologically more correct:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>選義按<strong>部</strong>，考辭就<strong>班</strong> （陸機《文賦》）</p>
<p>To obtain choice ideas in close observation of <strong>things in categories</strong>, and elect expressions that will fall <strong>in happy order</strong> (trans. Chen Shixiang 1951)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This was an advice by Lu Jin from the Jin dynasty on how essays should be written. Of course in modern Chinese the idiom has evolved to describe things other than writing.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Is <code>按步就班</code> wrong? Etymologically, definitely yes, but it is understandable, and there are cases where these variants that appease the modern reader become acceptable. Consider the etymologically correct <code>名副其實</code> （曹操《與王修書》） and its variant <code>名符其實</code>. Personally, I would stick to <code>按部就班</code> and <code>名副其實</code>. You should especially do so if you are taking a language exam. I would also interpret <code>部</code> and <code>班</code> in classical Chinese – good practice if you are learning idioms.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Also, try not to interpret <code>按</code> as 'to press'. It is similar to meaning <code>按照</code> ('according to') here.</p>
</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-10T12:01:13.857Z
Thanks for suggesting 部 implying categories. I would add it to my answer: (部 = 部門 = sections; categories)
Tang Ho
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-10T11:55:32.353Z
2021-04-10T12:12:36.053Z
2021-04-10T12:12:36.053Z
L Parker
<p>按部就班 also 按步就班</p>
<p>按 = 按照 = following; according to</p>
<p>部 = 部門 = sections; categories</p>
<p>步 = 步骤 = procedure; steps</p>
<p>就 = complete</p>
<p>班 = shift; duty; work</p>
<blockquote>
<p>按部就班: according to sections/ categories to complete works (do things in ways according to each different section/category required)</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>按步就班: following steps to complete works  (do things step by step)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Both versions imply 'do things accordingly' =  'keep conventional ways'</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-12T00:06:33.200Z
按部就班 only according to Ministry’s team (rules/regulations) that resolved the issue..”according to” worked for me. thanks
user27485
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-10T11:39:58.957Z
2021-04-10T12:06:07.757Z
2021-04-10T12:06:07.757Z
Tang Ho
<p>I have checked the dictionary, the following are the meanings for Idiom and its components. could not get how ‘keep conventional ways’ was the meaning derived. can share more light on this? thanks</p>
<p>按部就班 ànbùjiùbān follow the prescribed order; keep to conventional ways</p>
<p>安 ān calm, quiet, peaceful, tranquil
按 àn put hand on, press down with hand
部 bù part, section, ministry, department</p>

<meaning><meaning-in-context><idioms>
What does 按部就班 mean?
# What does 按部就班 mean?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-04-10)

I have checked the dictionary, the following are the meanings for Idiom and its components. could not get how ‘keep conventional ways’ was the meaning derived. can share more light on this? thanks

按部就班 ànbùjiùbān follow the prescribed order; keep to conventional ways

安 ān calm, quiet, peaceful, tranquil
按 àn put hand on, press down with hand
部 bù part, section, ministry, department

**Tags:** meaning, meaning-in-context, idioms


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-04-10. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

1. `按部就班` is not wrong and is in fact etymologically more correct:

   > 選義按**部**，考辭就**班** （陸機《文賦》）
   >
   > To obtain choice ideas in close observation of **things in categories**, and elect expressions that will fall **in happy order** (trans. Chen Shixiang 1951)

   This was an advice by Lu Jin from the Jin dynasty on how essays should be written. Of course in modern Chinese the idiom has evolved to describe things other than writing.
2. Is `按步就班` wrong? Etymologically, definitely yes, but it is understandable, and there are cases where these variants that appease the modern reader become acceptable. Consider the etymologically correct `名副其實` （曹操《與王修書》） and its variant `名符其實`. Personally, I would stick to `按部就班` and `名副其實`. You should especially do so if you are taking a language exam. I would also interpret `部` and `班` in classical Chinese – good practice if you are learning idioms.
3. Also, try not to interpret `按` as 'to press'. It is similar to meaning `按照` ('according to') here.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Thanks for suggesting 部 implying categories. I would add it to my answer: (部 = 部門 = sections; categories)  

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### Answer by username_2 on 2021-04-10. Score: 1

按部就班 also 按步就班

按 = 按照 = following; according to

部 = 部門 = sections; categories

步 = 步骤 = procedure; steps

就 = complete

班 = shift; duty; work

> 按部就班: according to sections/ categories to complete works (do things in ways according to each different section/category required)

> 按步就班: following steps to complete works (do things step by step)

Both versions imply 'do things accordingly' = 'keep conventional ways'

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: 按部就班 only according to Ministry’s team (rules/regulations) that resolved the issue..”according to” worked for me. thanks  

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