不由自主
不由自主 (bù yóu zì zhǔ) literally means “not by one's own control” and expresses “involuntarily; can't help but”. 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: bu you zi zhu, bu you zi zhu,不由自主 meaning, 不由自主 in english
Involuntarily; can't help but
Pronunciation: bù yóu zì zhǔ
Literal meaning: Not by one's own control
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes actions not (不) controlled (由自主) by one's own will. It captures involuntary responses where emotions or instincts override conscious control. The phrase appeared in texts describing overwhelming emotional states. It acknowledges that some responses transcend deliberate choice. Modern usage describes involuntary reactions - laughing, crying, or other behaviors that occur spontaneously without conscious decision.
Examples
English: "He couldn't help but smile when he saw her."
Chinese: 看到她，他不由自主地笑了。
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Related Chinese Idioms
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yī fān fēng shùn
Plain sailing; everything going smoothly
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千里迢迢
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Travel a great distance
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民富国强
mín fù guó qiáng
Prosperous people and powerful nation
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国泰民安
guó tài mín ān
National peace and public security
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太平盛世
tài píng shèng shì
Golden age of peace and prosperity
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Peace everywhere; universal harmony
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安土重迁
ān tǔ zhòng qiān
Prefer stability; reluctant to relocate
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Hard to leave one's homeland
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 不由自主 mean in English?
不由自主 (bù yóu zì zhǔ) literally translates to “Not by one's own control” and is used to express “Involuntarily; can't help but”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 不由自主 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving involuntarily; can't help but.
What is the pinyin for 不由自主?
The pinyin pronunciation for 不由自主 is “bù yóu zì zhǔ”.