各行其是

Pronunciation: gè xíng qí shì Literal meaning: Each does what he thinks is right

Origin & Usage

Each (各) does (行) what they (其) think right (是). The final character is the trap for learners: 是 here means right or correct, not the copula, so the phrase describes people acting on their own judgement rather than merely acting separately. That is what makes it a criticism. The problem it names is not laziness or conflict but the absence of a settled common line, with everyone conscientiously pursuing their own version, and it is the standard Chinese diagnosis of a committee that has stopped functioning.

Examples

English: "In a diverse team, everyone contributes their unique skills, leading to a well-rounded project."

Chinese: 在这个多元化的团队中，各行其是，大家各自发挥特长，最终完成了一个全面的项目。