翻来覆去

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: fān lái fù qù
• English Translation: To toss and turn repeatedly in bed; to go over the same thoughts repeatedly; to reconsider something multiple times
• Idiom Composition: 「翻」（To turn over）＋「来」（To come）＋「覆」（To overturn）＋「去」（To go）
• Meaning: Originally, it describes the act of tossing and turning repeatedly in bed. By extension, it refers to thoughts or matters that repeatedly come and go, indicating indecision or an unsettled state.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「翻来覆去」 contains the following nuances:

• Repetition: Emphasizes the repeated occurrence of the same actions or thoughts.
• Uncertainty: Describes a state where thoughts or situations are unsettled and fluctuating.
• Restlessness: Often implies a restless mental state during sleepless nights or when thoughts are unsettled.
• Thoroughness: Can also describe thoroughly reconsidering a matter from every angle repeatedly.

3. Usage

「翻来覆去」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Sleep: Used to describe the state of being unable to fall asleep.
  • Example:「他在床上翻来覆去，怎么也睡不着。」
    （He tossed and turned repeatedly in bed and couldn't fall asleep.）
• Thinking: Describes the state of being unable to settle thoughts or having the same thoughts repeatedly cycling through the mind.
  • Example:「这个问题我已经翻来覆去想了很多遍，还是决定不了。」
    （I have thought over this problem repeatedly many times, but still can't make a decision.）
• Discussion: Describes a situation where a certain issue is discussed repeatedly.
  • Example:「这个项目计划书被翻来覆去修改了好几次，才最终定稿。」
    （The project proposal was revised repeatedly several times before the final draft was completed.）
• Repetition in speech: Describes the act of repeating the same story multiple times.
  • Example:「他总是翻来覆去地讲述同一个故事，我们都听腻了。」
    （He always repeats the same story over and over, and we are tired of hearing it.）

Additional Examples:

1. 昨晚我翻来覆去睡不着，一直在想明天面试的事情。
   （Last night, I tossed and turned repeatedly because I kept thinking about tomorrow's interview.）
2. 对于这个方案，我们已经翻来覆去讨论了好几轮了。
   （We have already discussed this plan repeatedly several times.）
3. 她把那封信翻来覆去看了好几遍，还是不敢相信这是真的。
   （She read that letter over and over several times but still couldn't believe it was true.）
4. 老太太翻来覆去地念叨着儿子的名字，盼望他早日回家。
   （The elderly woman kept repeating her son's name, hoping he would return home soon.）
5. 这个政策翻来覆去，让人无所适从。
   （This policy has changed repeatedly, leaving people confused and uncertain.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• In Chinese, physical actions are often used to express psychological states. '翻来覆去' skillfully conveys mental restlessness and unsettled feelings through the concrete action of tossing and turning in bed.
• The characters '来' (come) and '去' (go) here not only indicate direction but also function as particles expressing repetition or continuation of an action.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 犹豫不决 (yóu yù bù jué): To hesitate and be unable to make a decision.
  • 反复无常 (fǎn fù wú cháng): Describes attitudes or weather that change frequently and unpredictably.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 一锤定音 (yì chuí dìng yīn): To make a final decision with one decisive action or statement.
  • 坚定不移 (jiān dìng bù yí): Having a firm and unwavering will.

6. Summary

'翻来覆去' is a profound idiom that goes beyond mere repetition of physical actions to express underlying psychological states and changing situations. Understanding this idiom allows learners to appreciate the richness of Chinese expression, especially the skillful use of bodily actions to depict mental states.