一丝不挂
一丝不挂 (yī sī bù guà) literally means “not a thread hanging” and expresses “free from burdens”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: yi si bu gua, yi si bu gua,一丝不挂 meaning, 一丝不挂 in english
Free from burdens
Pronunciation: yī sī bù guà Literal meaning: Not a thread hanging
Origin & Usage
The idiom 一丝不挂 (yī sī bù guà) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature and originates from Buddhist texts, specifically the Shurangama Sutra (楞严经). In its original context, it describes a state of spiritual liberation where one is free from all worldly attachments and concerns, akin to having not a single thread (一丝, yī sī) hanging (不挂, bù guà) on the body. This imagery of being completely unencumbered is a metaphor for achieving a high level of enlightenment and detachment. In modern usage, the idiom has evolved to describe situations where someone is completely free from burdens or constraints, whether emotional, physical, or material. It encourages a life philosophy of simplicity and freedom from unnecessary entanglements.
Examples
English: "After losing everything, he found himself completely exposed and vulnerable."
Chinese: 失去一切后，他发现自己一丝不挂，完全暴露在外。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 一丝不挂 mean in English?
一丝不挂 (yī sī bù guà) literally translates to “Not a thread hanging” and is used to express “Free from burdens”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 一丝不挂 used?
Situation: After losing everything, he found himself completely exposed and vulnerable.
What is the pinyin for 一丝不挂?
The pinyin pronunciation for 一丝不挂 is “yī sī bù guà”.