身不由己

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: shēn bù yóu jǐ
• English Translation: Unable to act according to one's own will; constrained; forced to do something unwillingly
• Idiom Composition: 「身」（Body, oneself）＋「不」（Cannot, not able to）＋「由」（To be controlled by, to depend on）＋「己」（Oneself）
• Meaning: Literally means that one's body cannot be controlled by oneself. Figuratively, it refers to a state where one's actions or will are restricted by external circumstances or pressure from others, making it impossible to act freely.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「身不由己」 contains the following nuances:

• External constraints: Indicates that actions are restricted due to external situations or pressure from others, regardless of one's own will.
• Unwilling choice: Refers to situations where one must make a choice unwillingly, despite not wanting to.
• Sense of powerlessness: May include feelings of helplessness or resignation when one cannot change the situation by their own efforts.
• Sympathy: When this idiom is used, the speaker often expresses sympathy towards the situation.

3. Usage

「身不由己」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Restriction of actions: Used to describe situations where one must take certain actions against their own will.
  • Example:「他本不想去应酬，但碍于上司的面子，只好身不由己地去了。」
    （He didn't want to attend the social event, but out of respect for his boss, he was forced to go.）
• Constraints on choices: Describes situations where one must make choices unwillingly, different from their own wishes.
  • Example:「为了家庭，她身不由己地放弃了出国留学的机会。」
    （For the sake of her family, she reluctantly gave up the opportunity to study abroad.）
• Expression of feelings: Used to express unwillingness or helplessness about one's situation.
  • Example:「我知道这样做不对，但我也是身不由己啊！」
    （I know what I'm doing is wrong, but I have no choice!）

Additional Examples:

1. 工作压力太大，他经常加班到深夜，真是身不由己。
   （The work pressure is so great that he often works overtime until late at night. He really has no control over it.）
2. 面对家庭的期望，她放弃了自己的梦想，选择了稳定的工作，实在是身不由己。
   （Facing her family's expectations, she gave up her dreams and chose a stable job. It was truly beyond her control.）
3. 在那个时代，许多知识分子被迫参与政治斗争，他们也是身不由己。
   （In that era, many intellectuals were forced to participate in political struggles; they too had no control over their fate.）
4. 他本不想参加这次聚会，但因为朋友的强烈邀请，他只好身不由己地去了。
   （He didn't want to attend this gathering, but due to his friend's strong invitation, he had no choice but to go.）
5. 由于经济困难，他不得不接受这份工作，虽然并不喜欢，但也是身不由己。
   （Due to financial difficulties, he had to accept this job. Although he doesn't like it, he had no other choice.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Influence of Confucianism: Traditional Chinese Confucian thought tends to emphasize social responsibility and duty over individual free will. The idiom '身不由己' reflects this cultural background.
• Relatability in modern society: Even today, many people experience situations in work, family, and relationships where they feel constrained against their will. Therefore, this idiom resonates well with contemporary audiences.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 无可奈何 (wú kě nài hé): Helpless; having no way out.
  • 迫不得已 (pò bù dé yǐ): Forced to do something reluctantly; having no alternative.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 随心所欲 (suí xīn suǒ yù): To act as one wishes; to behave freely and at will.
  • 自由自在 (zì yóu zì zài): To be free and unrestrained; able to act without any limitations.

6. Summary

'身不由己' is an idiom that resonates strongly even with people living in modern society. In various situations such as work, family, and relationships, it is common to experience restrictions on actions or choices against one's own will. Using this idiom allows one to accurately express complex feelings of unwillingness and helplessness. It also serves as an important expression for understanding traditional Chinese values.