事与愿违

Pronunciation: shì yǔ yuàn wéi Literal meaning: Events contrary to wishes

Origin & Usage

Ji Kang, awaiting execution in the third century, wrote 事与愿违，遘兹淹留 — affairs (事) ran counter (违) to what I wished (愿), and so I have come to this confinement. The 与 is doing quiet work: it marks the two sides being set against each other, events on one hand and intention on the other, which is why the phrase reads as a collision rather than a disappointment. Where English says things did not go to plan, this carries more weight, and it usually marks a case where the effort was real and the outcome still went the other way.

Examples

English: "Despite careful planning, things didn't turn out as hoped."

Chinese: 尽管精心计划，结果却事与愿违。