患得患失
患得患失 (huàn dé huàn shī) literally means “worry about gain, worry about loss” and expresses “be anxious about gains and losses”. 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: huan de huan shi, huan de huan shi,患得患失 meaning, 患得患失 in english
Be anxious about gains and losses
Pronunciation: huàn dé huàn shī
Literal meaning: Worry about gain, worry about loss
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes worrying (患) about gaining (得) and worrying (患) about losing (失). It comes from Confucius' Analerta, criticizing petty people who are constantly anxious about what they might gain or lose. This mindset creates endless anxiety and prevents contentment. Modern usage describes excessive attachment to outcomes and the inability to find peace regardless of circumstances.
Examples
English: "His constant anxiety about outcomes prevented him from enjoying the process."
Chinese: 他患得患失的心态让他无法享受过程。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 患得患失 mean in English?
患得患失 (huàn dé huàn shī) literally translates to “Worry about gain, worry about loss” and is used to express “Be anxious about gains and losses”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 患得患失 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving be anxious about gains and losses.
What is the pinyin for 患得患失?
The pinyin pronunciation for 患得患失 is “huàn dé huàn shī”.