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. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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。
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guó tài mín ān
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Peace everywhere; universal harmony
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ān tǔ zhòng qiān
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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: This idiom applies when describing situations involving extremely restless and anxious.
What is the pinyin for 坐立不安?
The pinyin pronunciation for 坐立不安 is “zuò lì bù ān”.