自顾不暇 too busy to take care of oneself
Explanation
形容自己都顾不上,更谈不上照顾别人。
Describes someone who is so busy that they don't even have time for themselves, let alone others.
Origin Story
春秋时期,晋国有个叫叔向的人,他为人正直,勤勤恳恳地辅佐晋文公治理国家。有一天,晋文公问他:“卿(你)辅佐寡人多年,有什么愿望没有?”叔向回答说:“臣下无他愿望,只希望国泰民安,百姓安居乐业。”晋文公听后十分感动。 后来,晋文公又问叔向:“如果有一天,卿的家里遇到困难,需要寡人帮助,你会向寡人求助吗?”叔向回答说:“臣下家中若有困难,臣下自当自顾不暇,哪敢劳烦君上?” 晋文公听后沉默不语,他知道叔向是一个有责任心、有担当的人,即使自己家遇到困难,也不会向他求助,因为他知道自己肩负着国家的重任,自顾不暇。 从此以后,晋文公更加器重叔向,委以重任。
During the Spring and Autumn period, there was a man named Shu Xiang in the state of Jin. He was honest and worked diligently to assist Duke Wen of Jin in governing the country. One day, Duke Wen of Jin asked him, "You have assisted me for many years. Do you have any wishes?" Shu Xiang replied, "I have no other wishes. I only hope that the country is peaceful and the people are prosperous." Duke Wen of Jin was deeply moved. Later, Duke Wen of Jin asked Shu Xiang again, "If one day your family encounters difficulties and needs my help, would you ask me for help?" Shu Xiang replied, "If my family encounters difficulties, I would be too busy to take care of myself and would not dare to trouble Your Highness." Duke Wen of Jin remained silent. He knew that Shu Xiang was a responsible and dedicated man who would not ask him for help even if his family was in trouble, because he knew that he bore the heavy responsibility of the state and was already too busy to spare himself.
Usage
常用来形容一个人非常忙碌,没有时间或精力去帮助或照顾他人。
Often used to describe someone who is very busy and has no time or energy to help or care for others.
Examples
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他一个人都忙不过来,哪有时间管别人,真是自顾不暇。
tā yīgèrén dōu máng bù guò lái, nǎ yǒu shíjiān guǎn biérén, zhēnshi zì gù bù xiá
He's too busy to take care of others, really too busy to spare himself.
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公司面临倒闭危机,自顾不暇,哪还有精力去帮助其他公司?
gōngsī miànlín dàobì wēijī, zì gù bù xiá, nǎ hái yǒu jīnglì qù bāngzhù qítā gōngsī?
The company is facing a crisis, too busy to help other companies?
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学习任务繁重,他自顾不暇,没时间参加社团活动。
xuéxí rènwù fánzhòng, tā zì gù bù xiá, méi shíjiān cānjīa shètúan huódòng
Learning tasks are heavy, he's too busy to join clubs.