后顾之忧

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: hòu gù zhī yōu
• English Translation: Worries about the future or concerns about what is left behind that prevent one from moving forward with peace of mind
• Idiom Composition: 「后」（Behind, rear）＋「顾」（To look back, to worry about）＋「之」（Of, possessive particle）＋「忧」（Worry, concern）
• Meaning: Refers to a state where one cannot move forward with peace of mind due to worries or concerns about what lies behind or the future. It mainly points to concerns such as family issues or anxieties about the future that hinder taking action.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「后顾之忧」 contains the following nuances:

• Anxiety about the future: Expresses anxiety about potential problems or difficulties that may arise in the future when starting something new.
• Concerns about what is left behind: Refers to worries that taking action might negatively affect family, household, or past matters left behind.
• Obstacle to action: Often used to describe factors that cause hesitation or hinder taking action.
• Sense of responsibility: Also reflects worries arising from a sense of responsibility toward family and the future.

3. Usage

「后顾之忧」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Decision-making situations: Used as a concern to consider when making important decisions.
  • Example:「他决定出国留学，但父母的赡养问题成了他的后顾之忧。」
    （He decided to study abroad, but the issue of supporting his parents became his worry about what lies behind.）
• Reasons for hesitation to act: Used to describe factors that prevent someone from acting despite wanting to do something.
  • Example:「没有了后顾之忧，他才能全身心地投入到工作中。」
    （Without any worries about what lies behind, he was finally able to devote himself wholeheartedly to his work.）
• Pointing out problems or issues: Used to point out problems or issues in a certain situation.
  • Example:「公司解决了员工的后顾之忧，提高了员工的工作积极性。」
    （The company resolved employees' worries about what lies behind, boosting their work motivation.）

Additional Examples:

1. 尽管他很想创业，但家庭的经济负担成为了他的后顾之忧。
   （Although he strongly wants to start a business, the family's financial burden has become his worry about what lies behind.）
2. 在做出这个决定之前，你需要考虑清楚所有的后顾之忧。
   （Before making this decision, you need to carefully consider all your worries about what lies behind.）
3. 只有消除了后顾之忧，我们才能更好地前进。
   （Only after eliminating our worries about what lies behind can we move forward better.）
4. 为了解决士兵们的后顾之忧，政府出台了一系列优待军属的政策。
   （To address soldiers' worries about what lies behind, the government introduced a series of policies favoring military families.）
5. 她最大的后顾之忧就是孩子的教育问题。
   （Her biggest worry about what lies behind is her children's education.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Family-centered culture: In traditional Chinese culture, the family is considered the basic unit of society, and individual actions and decisions are expected to take into account the interests and needs of the family. 后顾之忧 reflects this family-oriented cultural background.
• Expression of responsibility: 后顾之忧 is sometimes understood not merely as worry, but as an expression of responsibility toward one's family and future.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 瞻前顾后 (zhān qián gù hòu): Looking forward and back, being concerned about various things, often indecisive.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 无忧无虑 (wú yōu wú lǜ): Having no worries or concerns; carefree.
  • 高枕无忧 (gāo zhěn wú yōu): Sleeping peacefully without worries; having no concerns.

6. Summary

后顾之忧 is an idiom that reflects the family-oriented cultural background of China, expressing anxieties about the future and concerns about what lies behind when starting something new. Understanding this idiom offers deeper insight into Chinese decision-making and behavioral principles. Using it appropriately can enrich your Chinese language expression.