患得患失

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: huàn dé huàn shī
• English Translation: Worrying about personal gain and loss (obsessing over outcomes)
• Idiom Composition: 「患」（To worry or be anxious about）＋「得」（To gain or obtain）＋「患」（To worry or be anxious about）＋「失」（To lose）
• Meaning: To worry about not getting something before you have it, and then worrying about losing it once you do. It refers to a state of anxiety caused by an excessive concern for personal interests, status, or the results of an endeavor.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「患得患失」 contains the following nuances:

• Excessive Attachment: This idiom doesn't just mean general nervousness; it specifically points to anxiety rooted in a deep obsession with one's own interests or status.
• Indecisive Mentality: It describes how being too focused on the outcome can lead to mental instability, preventing a person from taking bold or necessary actions.

3. Usage

「患得患失」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Psychological State: Used when someone is mentally unstable or anxious because they are too focused on the results of an exam, a match, or a romantic relationship.
  • Example:「比赛前不要患得患失，只要尽力发挥就好。」
    （Don't spend the time before the match worrying about winning or losing; just do your best.）
• Business and Career: Used to describe a lack of decisiveness or a tendency to play it too safe due to an obsession with status or potential loss.
  • Example:「做生意要有冒险精神，总是患得患失是很难成功的。」
    （Doing business requires a spirit of adventure; it is hard to succeed if you are always obsessing over personal gain and loss.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他在感情中总是患得患失，让对方感到很有压力。
   （He is always worrying about gain and loss in the relationship, which makes his partner feel a lot of pressure.）
2. 与其整天患得患失，不如把精力放在提升自己上。
   （Instead of obsessing over success and failure all day, it's better to focus your energy on self-improvement.）
3. 这种患得患失的心态限制了他的发展。
   （This mindset of being overly concerned with personal gain has limited his development.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Source: This idiom originates from the Analects (论语), in the 'Yang Huo' chapter. Confucius (孔子) used it to criticize 'lowly people' (鄙夫 - bǐ fū) who worry about obtaining a position and then immediately worry about losing it once they have it.
• Modern Nuance: While it originally referred to the pursuit of official rank, in modern Chinese it is applied to money, romance, or any competitive situation. It carries a critical nuance, suggesting the person has a 'small' character or is mentally fragile due to their attachments.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 斤斤计较 (jīn jīn jì jiào): To haggle over every penny or fuss over trivial matters of personal interest.link
  • 优柔寡断 (yōu róu guǎ duàn): To be indecisive and lack the courage to make a firm decision.link
  • 犹豫不决 (yóu yù bù jué): Hesitate and be unable to make a decision.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 宠辱不惊 (chǒng rǔ bù jīng): Remaining unperturbed and indifferent to both favor and humiliation.
  • 豁达大度 (huò dá dà dù): Being open-minded, magnanimous, and not bothered by small details.
  • 大公无私 (dà gōng wú sī): To be completely fair and unselfish.link
  • 心安理得 (xīn ān lǐ dé): To feel at ease and have a clear conscience.link

6. Summary

患得患失 (huàn dé huàn shī) describes a psychological state of being constantly anxious about personal gains and losses. It suggests that a person is so focused on the outcome—whether it be a promotion, a relationship, or a competition—that they become mentally unstable or unable to act decisively. It is generally used in a critical sense to describe someone who lacks a broad perspective or is too attached to self-interest.