七上八下
七上八下 (qī shàng bā xià) literally means “seven up eight down” and expresses “anxious and unsettled”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: qi shang ba xia, qi shang ba xia,七上八下 meaning, 七上八下 in english
Anxious and unsettled
Pronunciation: qī shàng bā xià Literal meaning: Seven up eight down
Origin & Usage
This numerical idiom uses seven (七) up (上) and eight (八) down (下) to describe a state of anxious confusion, originating from Song Dynasty vernacular expressions. The numbers themselves carry no specific meaning beyond creating rhythmic opposition to represent mental turmoil. The phrase gained prominence through Yuan Dynasty dramatic works, where characters experiencing emotional distress would describe their hearts as going 'seven up eight down.' Unlike terms for simple nervousness, it specifically describes disorganized thinking from anxiety. Modern usage denotes the physical and mental experience of anxious anticipation, particularly before significant events with uncertain outcomes, capturing both the cognitive disarray and physical discomfort of such states.
Examples
English: "The candidate felt extremely anxious while waiting for the interview results"
Chinese: 候选人在等待面试结果时感到忐忑不安
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
Learn more →
改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
Learn more →
好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
Learn more →
物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
Learn more →
塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
Learn more →
近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
Learn more →
夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
Learn more →
因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 七上八下 mean in English?
七上八下 (qī shàng bā xià) literally translates to “Seven up eight down” and is used to express “Anxious and unsettled”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 七上八下 used?
Situation: The candidate felt extremely anxious while waiting for the interview results
What is the pinyin for 七上八下?
The pinyin pronunciation for 七上八下 is “qī shàng bā xià”.
Curated Lists Featuring 七上八下
8 Lucky Chinese Idioms With Number Eight (八)
Explore auspicious Chinese idioms featuring eight (八), the luckiest number in Chinese culture.
8 Chinese Idioms With the Number Four (四)
Chinese idioms featuring the number four - expressions about all directions and comprehensive coverage.
8 Chinese Idioms With the Number Seven (七)
Chinese idioms featuring the number seven - expressions often paired with eight to describe chaos or activity.