自不量力
自不量力 (zì bù liàng lì) literally means “do not measure strength” and expresses “overestimate abilities”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: zi bu liang li, zi bu liang li,自不量力 meaning, 自不量力 in english
Overestimate abilities
Pronunciation: zì bù liàng lì Literal meaning: Do not measure strength
Origin & Usage
Commonly used in classical Chinese, the idiom 自不量力 (zì bù liàng lì) highlights the folly of not assessing one's own abilities accurately. The phrase is often associated with stories from the Spring and Autumn period, such as the tale of the king of the small state of Xi (息国) who, despite warnings from his advisors, decided to wage war against the stronger state of Zheng (郑国). Ignoring the advice to consider whether their power and influence were sufficient, the king's forces were ultimately defeated. This idiom breaks down into 自 (zì, self), 不 (bù, not), 量 (liàng, measure), and 力 (lì, strength), painting a picture of someone who acts without considering their own limitations. In modern contexts, it serves as a caution against overestimating one's capabilities and taking on challenges beyond one's reach.
Examples
English: "He thought he could easily complete the project, but he underestimated the challenges ahead."
Chinese: 他以为自己能轻松完成这个项目，却自不量力。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
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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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wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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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 自不量力 mean in English?
自不量力 (zì bù liàng lì) literally translates to “Do not measure strength” and is used to express “Overestimate abilities”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 自不量力 used?
Situation: He thought he could easily complete the project, but he underestimated the challenges ahead.
What is the pinyin for 自不量力?
The pinyin pronunciation for 自不量力 is “zì bù liàng lì”.