坐立不安
坐立不安 (zuò lì bù ān) literally means “cannot sit or stand peacefully” and expresses “extremely restless and anxious”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: zuo li bu an, zuo li bu an,坐立不安 meaning, 坐立不安 in english
Extremely restless and anxious
Pronunciation: zuò lì bù ān Literal meaning: Cannot sit or stand peacefully
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes the physical manifestation of anxiety where one can neither sit (坐) nor stand (立) comfortably, finding no peace (不安) in any position. The phrase captures the restless energy of worry that prevents physical stillness. It appears in classical Chinese literature describing characters in suspense or distress. The emphasis on bodily experience reflects traditional Chinese understanding of the mind-body connection. Modern usage describes anxiety, nervousness, or impatience that manifests in physical restlessness.
Examples
English: "Waiting for the exam results made her extremely restless."
Chinese: 等待考试结果让她坐立不安。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
Learn more →
门庭若市
mén tíng ruò shì
Extremely popular
Learn more →
改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
Learn more →
好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
Learn more →
物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
Learn more →
塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
Learn more →
近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
Learn more →
夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 坐立不安 mean in English?
坐立不安 (zuò lì bù ān) literally translates to “Cannot sit or stand peacefully” and is used to express “Extremely restless and anxious”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 坐立不安 used?
Situation: Waiting for the exam results made her extremely restless.
What is the pinyin for 坐立不安?
The pinyin pronunciation for 坐立不安 is “zuò lì bù ān”.