身不由己
身不由己 (shēn bù yóu jǐ) literally means “body not self-controlled” and expresses “forced to act against will”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: shen bu you ji, shen bu you ji,身不由己 meaning, 身不由己 in english
Forced to act against will
Pronunciation: shēn bù yóu jǐ
Literal meaning: Body not self-controlled
Origin & Usage
This constrained idiom describes situations where one's body/self (身) is not (不) governed (由) by oneself (己), originating from Han Dynasty discussions of social obligation. It first appeared in texts examining how individuals must sometimes act against personal inclination due to duty, position, or circumstances. During the Tang Dynasty, historians used it to explain officials' actions under imperial pressure. The specific reference to the physical body (身) emphasized how external forces could control even one's physical movements. Modern usage describes situations where external pressures or obligations force actions contrary to personal preference, particularly professional contexts where organizational demands override individual judgment.
When to Use
Situation: The executive had to implement policies she personally disagreed with
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 身不由己 mean in English?
身不由己 (shēn bù yóu jǐ) literally translates to “Body not self-controlled” and is used to express “Forced to act against will”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 身不由己 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving forced to act against will.
What is the pinyin for 身不由己?
The pinyin pronunciation for 身不由己 is “shēn bù yóu jǐ”.