不由自主

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: bù yóu zì zhǔ
• English Translation: Involuntarily, unconsciously, beyond one's control
• Idiom Composition: 「不」（Not）＋「由」（By, from）＋「自」（Self）＋「主」（To control, to master）
• Meaning: Describes acting involuntarily, beyond one's own will. It refers to situations where emotions or actions arise naturally, independent of one's conscious control.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「不由自主」 contains the following nuances:

• Unconsciousness: Describes acting unconsciously or reflexively, rather than through conscious judgment or intent.
• Strength of emotion: Often suggests that actions are triggered by strong emotions such as joy, sadness, fear, or surprise.
• External factors: Also used when actions are induced by external stimuli or circumstances.
• Irresistibility: Conveys that one's actions are controlled by an irresistible force beyond one's own will.

3. Usage

「不由自主」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Emotional surge: Describes acting involuntarily due to strong emotions.
  • Example:「听到这个好消息，他不由自主地笑了起来。」
    （Hearing the good news, he involuntarily burst into laughter.）
• Unconscious action: Used to describe actions done unintentionally or instinctively.
  • Example:「看到美食，他不由自主地咽了咽口水。」
    （Seeing the delicious food, he unconsciously swallowed his saliva.）
• External influence: Describes a situation where one reacts unintentionally due to external stimuli.
  • Example:「面对突如其来的危险，他不由自主地后退了几步。」
    （Faced with sudden danger, he involuntarily stepped back a few paces.）

Additional Examples:

1. 听到感人的故事，我不由自主地流下了眼泪。
   （Hearing the moving story, I involuntarily shed tears.）
2. 看到孩子们的笑脸，她不由自主地感到温暖。
   （Seeing the children's smiling faces, she involuntarily felt warmth.）
3. 每次路过那家蛋糕店，我都不由自主地想走进去看看。
   （Every time I pass that cake shop, I involuntarily want to go in and have a look.）
4. 在拥挤的地铁里，他不由自主地被人群推来推去。
   （In the crowded subway, he was helplessly pushed around by the crowd.）
5. 听着这首熟悉的旋律，她不由自主地跟着哼了起来。
   （Listening to this familiar melody, she involuntarily hummed along.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Natural human reaction: '不由自主' describes natural emotions and reactions that everyone experiences.
• Literary expression: It is often used in literary works such as novels and poems to depict the inner feelings of characters.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 情不自禁 (qíng bù zì jīn): Unable to restrain one's emotions; unable to help but do something due to strong feelings.
  • 身不由己 (shēn bù yóu jǐ): (Often in an undesirable situation) unable to act as one wishes; lacking freedom.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 泰然自若 (tài rán zì ruò): Calm and composed, unperturbed by events.
  • 从容不迫 (cóng róng bú pò): Calm and unhurried, composed.

6. Summary

'不由自主' is an idiom that vividly expresses natural human emotions and reactions. By using this phrase, readers and listeners can gain a deeper understanding and empathy for the characters' feelings and situations.