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
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.
When to Use
Situation: Waiting for the exam results made her extremely restless.
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Related Chinese Idioms
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qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo
Travel a great distance
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民富国强
mín fù guó qiáng
Prosperous people and powerful nation
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国泰民安
guó tài mín ān
National peace and public security
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太平盛世
tài píng shèng shì
Golden age of peace and prosperity
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sì hǎi shēng píng
Peace everywhere; universal harmony
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ān tǔ zhòng qiān
Prefer stability; reluctant to relocate
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故土难离
gù tǔ nán lí
Hard to leave one's homeland
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luò yè guī gēn
Return to one's roots; go back home
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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 theLife 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”.