无所适从 wú suǒ shì cóng at a loss

Explanation

指不知如何选择或行动，不知所措。形容处境困难，无法决定。

It means not knowing how to choose or act, being at a loss. It describes a difficult situation where one cannot make a decision.

Origin Story

晋献公时期，他命令大臣们分别为晋公子重耳和夷吾修建城池。夷吾对修建的城池不满意，向晋献公告状。晋献公询问大臣们为何不认真修建，大臣们回答说因为两位公子都有自己的意见，让他们无所适从。晋献公听后，认为大臣们说的有道理，于是下令杀死太子申生，并将重耳流放狄国。这个故事说明了在面对多方压力和意见时，如果不能明智地做出决定，很可能会导致不好的结果。

jìn xiàn gōng shíqī, tā mìnglìng dàchénmen fēnbié wèi jìn gōngzǐ zhòng ěr hé yí wú xiūjiàn chéngchí. yí wú duì xiūjiàn de chéngchí bù mǎnyì, xiàng jìn xiàn gōng gàozhuàng. jìn xiàn gōng xúnwèn dàchénmen wèihé bù rènzhēn xiūjiàn, dàchénmen huídá shuō yīnwèi liǎng wèi gōngzǐ dōu yǒu zìjǐ de yìjiàn, ràng tāmen wú suǒ shì cóng. jìn xiàn gōng tīng hòu, rènwéi dàchénmen shuō de yǒu dàolǐ, yúshì xiàlìng shā sǐ tàizǐ shēn shēng, bìng jiāng zhòng ěr liúfàng dí guó. zhège gùshì shuōmíng le zài miàn duì duōfāng yālì hé yìjiàn shí, rúguǒ bù néng míngzhì de zuò chū juédìng, hěn kěnéng huì dǎozhì bù hǎo de jiéguǒ.

During the reign of Jin Xian Gong, he ordered his ministers to build city walls for the princes Chonger and Yi Wu respectively. Yi Wu was dissatisfied with the construction and complained to Jin Xian Gong. Jin Xian Gong asked the ministers why they did not work diligently, and the ministers replied that because both princes had their own opinions, it made them at a loss. After listening, Jin Xian Gong thought that the ministers were right, so he ordered the death of Crown Prince Shen Sheng and exiled Chonger to Di. This story illustrates that when facing multiple pressures and opinions, if one cannot make a wise decision, it may lead to bad results.

Usage

常用于表达对某种选择或行动的迷茫和不知所措。

cháng yòng yú biǎodá duì mǒu zhǒng xuǎnzé huò xíngdòng de mí máng hé bù zhī suǒ cuò

Often used to express confusion and helplessness about a choice or action.

Examples

  • 面对众多选择，他无所适从，不知该如何决定。

    miànduì zhòngduō xuǎnzé, tā wú suǒ shì cóng, bù zhī gāi rúhé juédìng

    Faced with many choices, he was at a loss, not knowing how to decide.

  • 面对突发事件，他一时无所适从，手足无措。

    miànduì tūfā shìjiàn, tā yīshí wú suǒ shì cóng, shǒuzú wú cuò

    Faced with a sudden event, he was at a loss for a moment, at his wit's end.

  • 毕业后，他无所适从，不知道该选择哪个职业。

    bìyè hòu, tā wú suǒ shì cóng, bù zhīdào gāi xuǎnzé nǎ ge zhíyè

    After graduation, he was at a loss, not knowing which career to choose.

Related Idioms

  • 举棋不定

  • 犹豫不决

Opposite Idioms

  • 当机立断

  • 从容不迫