自由自在
自由自在 (zì yóu zì zài) literally means “self-determined and unhindered” and expresses “completely free and unrestrained”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: zi you zi zai, zi you zi zai,自由自在 meaning, 自由自在 in english
Completely free and unrestrained
Pronunciation: zì yóu zì zài Literal meaning: Self-determined and unhindered
Origin & Usage
A pairing of self-determination (自由) with unhindered being (自在). It belongs to Chan Buddhist recorded sayings rather than to the Zhuangzi, though the temper is close to it, and 自在 in particular is a Buddhist term for freedom from obstruction. What it names is the absence of constraint rather than the presence of choice. What it names is living without restriction or obligation, and it goes most readily to animals, children and the retired.
Examples
English: "After retirement, the couple traveled wherever their interests led them"
Chinese: 退休后，这对夫妇随着兴趣所至四处旅行
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
不由自主
bù yóu zì zhǔ
Involuntarily; can't help but
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世外桃源
shì wài táo yuán
Perfect peaceful place
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身不由己
shēn bù yóu jǐ
Forced to act against will
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称心如意
chèn xīn rú yì
Perfectly satisfying every expectation
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高枕无忧
gāo zhěn wú yōu
Completely free from worry or concern
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心旷神怡
xīn kuàng shén yí
Feeling carefree and happy
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洋洋大观
yáng yáng dà guān
A rich and impressive array
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两虎相争
liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng
Fierce competition between equals
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 自由自在 mean in English?
自由自在 (zì yóu zì zài) literally translates to “Self-determined and unhindered” and is used to express “Completely free and unrestrained”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 自由自在 used?
Situation: After retirement, the couple traveled wherever their interests led them
What is the pinyin for 自由自在?
The pinyin pronunciation for 自由自在 is “zì yóu zì zài”.