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.
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。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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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: He couldn't help but smile when he saw her.
What is the pinyin for 不由自主?
The pinyin pronunciation for 不由自主 is “bù yóu zì zhǔ”.