心甘情愿

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: xīn gān qíng yuàn
• English Translation: Willingly and gladly (of one's own free will)
• Idiom Composition: 「心」（Heart or mind; the seat of one's true intentions.）＋「甘」（Sweet; in this context, it means to be willing or to accept something contentedly.）＋「情」（Emotion or feeling; indicating the action is driven by sentiment.）＋「愿」（To wish, desire, or be willing.）
• Meaning: To do something out of one's own volition with complete satisfaction and without any coercion. It describes a state where a person is perfectly happy to undertake a task, even if it involves significant hardship, sacrifice, or effort, because they are personally committed to the cause.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「心甘情愿」 contains the following nuances:

• Internal Motivation: The combination of 甘 (gān) and 愿 (yuàn) emphasizes that the drive comes from within. It is the opposite of being forced or acting out of a mere sense of duty.
• Acceptance of Hardship: This idiom is specifically powerful when used in the context of 'bitter' or difficult tasks. It suggests that the person's emotional resolve turns the 'bitter' task into something they 'sweetly' (甘) accept.

3. Usage

「心甘情愿」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Devotion and Love: Used to describe the selfless actions one takes for family or loved ones, emphasizing that the effort is a labor of love.
  • Example:「为了孩子的未来，父母哪怕再辛苦也是心甘情愿的。」
    （For the sake of their children's future, parents are perfectly willing to endure any amount of hardship.）
• Accepting Consequences: Used when someone takes full responsibility for their choices, even if the outcome is negative or involves a penalty.
  • Example:「这是我自己做出的选择，无论结果如何，我都心甘情愿。」
    （This was my own choice; whatever the outcome, I accept it wholeheartedly.）
• Volunteering and Service: Ideal for explaining the motivation behind altruistic acts where no reward is expected.
  • Example:「这些志愿者心甘情愿地放弃假期，去山区支教。」
    （These volunteers willingly gave up their vacations to go teach in the mountain regions.）

Additional Examples:

1. 只要能帮到你，让我做什么我都心甘情愿。
   （As long as it helps you, I am more than happy to do anything.）
2. 他心甘情愿地当绿叶，衬托主角的光彩。
   （He was perfectly content to play a supporting role to let the lead shine.）
3. 没有人逼他，他是心甘情愿辞职的。
   （No one forced him; he resigned of his own free will.）
4. 为了这项研究，他心甘情愿地在这个偏僻的地方待了十年。
   （For the sake of this research, he gladly stayed in this remote place for ten years.）
5. 如果是为了正义，即使牺牲生命我也心甘情愿。
   （If it is for justice, I would willingly sacrifice my life.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• While the variant 甘心情愿 (gān xīn qíng yuàn) exists, the form 心甘情愿 (xīn gān qíng yuàn) is much more common in modern Chinese.
• The idiom is widely used across all levels of speech, from casual conversation to formal literature, especially when discussing deep emotional bonds like patriotism or parental love.
• The inclusion of 心 (xīn) and 情 (qíng) signals that the action is not just a logical agreement, but one rooted in deep-seated passion or affection.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 何乐不为 (hé lè bù wéi): Literally 'Why not do it gladly?'; used when an action is beneficial and there is no reason to refuse.
  • 无怨无悔 (wú yuàn wú huǐ): No complaints and no regrets; often used alongside 心甘情愿 (xīn gān qíng yuàn) to show total commitment to a choice.
  • 死心塌地 (sǐ xīn tā dì): To be absolutely loyal and devoted, without any change of heart.link
  • 全心全意 (quán xīn quán yì): To do something with all one's heart and mind.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 迫不得已 (pò bù dé yǐ): To be forced by circumstances; to have no other choice but to do something.
  • 强人所难 (qiǎng rén suǒ nán): To force someone to do something they are unwilling or unable to do.
  • 身不由己 (shēn bù yóu jǐ): Unable to act of one's own free will.link
  • 无可奈何 (wú kě nài hé): Having no way out or no choice but to accept a situation.link

6. Summary

心甘情愿 (xīn gān qíng yuàn) is a common idiom used to describe actions driven by the heart rather than external pressure. It is frequently used in contexts of devotion—such as a parent's sacrifice for a child or a person's dedication to a dream—where the individual finds fulfillment in the act itself, regardless of the difficulty involved.