随遇而安
随遇而安 (suí yù ér ān) literally means “follow what you meet and be at ease in it” and expresses “contentment in any situation”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: sui yu er an, sui yu er an,随遇而安 meaning, 随遇而安 in english
Contentment in any situation
Pronunciation: suí yù ér ān Literal meaning: Follow what you meet and be at ease in it
Origin & Usage
Meeting (随) whatever circumstance one encounters (遇) and being at ease (安) in it. It belongs to later vernacular and essay writing rather than to the early classics, and its temper is Daoist in spirit without deriving from a particular passage. The contentment it names is active rather than resigned: the person adapts to the situation instead of being defeated by it. Somebody who settles comfortably wherever they have ended up, and it is a compliment to temperament.
Examples
English: "He found happiness by adapting to his surroundings instead of fighting against them."
Chinese: 他通过适应环境而不是与之抗争找到了快乐。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
入乡随俗
rù xiāng suí sú
Adopt the customs of where you are
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随机应变
suí jī yìng biàn
Adapt to circumstances; think on one's feet
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岁岁平安
suì suì píng ān
May you stay safe and well every year
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安步当车
ān bù dàng chē
Choose simpler pleasures over status displays
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安居乐业
ān jū lè yè
Live peacefully and work happily
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安然无恙
ān rán wú yàng
Completely safe and unharmed through danger
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安如泰山
ān rú tài shān
Absolutely stable and unshakable
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坐立不安
zuò lì bù ān
Extremely restless and anxious
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 随遇而安 mean in English?
随遇而安 (suí yù ér ān) literally translates to “Follow what you meet and be at ease in it” and is used to express “Contentment in any situation”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 随遇而安 used?
Situation: He found happiness by adapting to his surroundings instead of fighting against them.
What is the pinyin for 随遇而安?
The pinyin pronunciation for 随遇而安 is “suí yù ér ān”.