坐怀不乱
坐怀不乱 (zuò huái bù luàn) literally means “sit in lap not disorderly” and expresses “maintain perfect integrity despite temptation”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: zuo huai bu luan, zuo huai bu luan,坐怀不乱 meaning, 坐怀不乱 in english
Maintain perfect integrity despite temptation
Pronunciation: zuò huái bù luàn
Literal meaning: Sit in lap not disorderly
Origin & Usage
This idiom refers to maintaining propriety (不乱) even when a woman sits (坐) in one's lap (怀), originating from a story about Confucian scholar Liuxia Hui during the Spring and Autumn period. Historical texts recount how he once held a freezing woman in his arms to save her life, yet maintained perfect moral restraint. During the Han Dynasty, the story became a classic example of moral strength overcoming physical temptation. The specific imagery highlighted the extreme test of virtue, making the restraint more impressive. Modern usage describes professional integrity in situations of potential impropriety, especially in positions of trust like healthcare, education, or counseling, where maintaining boundaries is essential.
Examples
English: "The respected doctor maintained perfect professionalism with all patients"
Chinese: 这位受人尊敬的医生对所有患者都保持着完美的专业态度
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 坐怀不乱 mean in English?
坐怀不乱 (zuò huái bù luàn) literally translates to “Sit in lap not disorderly” and is used to express “Maintain perfect integrity despite temptation”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 坐怀不乱 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving maintain perfect integrity despite temptation.
What is the pinyin for 坐怀不乱?
The pinyin pronunciation for 坐怀不乱 is “zuò huái bù luàn”.