爱莫能助 ài mò néng zhù powerless to help

Explanation

虽然心里很想帮助，但能力有限，无法提供帮助。

Although one wants to help, one is unable to do so due to limited abilities.

Origin Story

春秋时期，晋国发生内乱，赵盾被杀，他的儿子赵朔也被迫逃亡。赵朔的妻子庄姬，怀有身孕，非常担忧。当时，许多人都同情庄姬的遭遇，但是，因为内乱的局势非常混乱，没有人敢站出来保护她。大家只能表示惋惜，爱莫能助。后来，庄姬生下了一个儿子，就是后来著名的赵武。他长大后，为晋国做了很多贡献。这段故事体现了爱莫能助的无奈和人们面对大局时无能为力的困境。

chūnqiū shíqī, jìn guó fāshēng nèiluàn, zhào dùn bèi shā, tā de érzi zhào shuò yě bèi pò táowáng. zhào shuò de qīzi zhuāng jī, huái yǒu shēnyùn, fēicháng dānyōu. dāngshí, xǔduō rén dōu tóngqíng zhuāng jī de zāoyù, dànshì, yīnwèi nèiluàn de júshì fēicháng hùnluàn, méiyǒu rén gǎn zhàn chūlái bǎohù tā. dàjiā zhǐ néng biǎoshì wǎnxī, ài mò néng zhù. hòulái, zhuāng jī shēng xià le yīgè érzi, jiùshì hòulái zhùmíng de zhào wǔ. tā zhǎngdà hòu, wèi jìn guó zuò le hěn duō gòngxiàn. zhè duàn gùshì tǐxiàn le ài mò néng zhù de wú nài hé rénmen miàn duì dàjú shí wú néng wèilì de kùnjìng.

During the Spring and Autumn period, a civil war broke out in the state of Jin. Zhao Dun was assassinated, and his son, Zhao Shuo, was forced to flee. His pregnant wife, Lady Zhuang, was in great distress. While many sympathized with her plight, the chaos of civil war made it impossible for anyone to protect her. They could only express regret, being powerless to help. Later, Lady Zhuang gave birth to a son, the famous Zhao Wu, who grew up to make significant contributions to Jin. This story illustrates the helplessness of 'love but cannot help' and the dilemma faced by people in times of great upheaval.

Usage

表示虽然同情或关心，但无力帮助。

biǎoshì suīrán tóngqíng huò guānxīn, dàn wúlì bāngzhù

indicates sympathy or concern, but without the ability to help.

Examples

  • 面对朋友的困境，我爱莫能助，只能表示遗憾。

    miàn duì péng you de kùnjìng, wǒ ài mò néng zhù, zhǐ néng biǎoshì yíhàn.

    I am powerless to help my friend in his predicament; I can only express my regret.

  • 对于这场灾难，我们爱莫能助，只能祈祷平安。

    duìyú zhè chǎng zāinàn, wǒmen ài mò néng zhù, zhǐ néng qídǎo píng'ān

    In the face of this disaster, we can only pray for safety; we are powerless to help.

Related Idioms

  • 无能为力

  • 力不从心

Opposite Idioms

  • 鼎力相助

  • 全力以赴