随心所欲
suí xīn suǒ yù
Doing as one pleases · trad. 隨心所欲
Expresses the freedom to act exactly as one wishes, without any restrictions or constraints. It describes a state where one can indulge in their desires and preferences completely.
What does 随心所欲 (suí xīn suǒ yù) mean?
随心所欲 (suí xīn suǒ yù) means "doing as one pleases" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "follow one's heart's desires."
Character by character
- 随 suí follow
- 心 xīn heart, mind
- 所 suǒ that which, place
- 欲 yù desire, wish
When to use it
Often used in positive contexts to describe a sense of liberation or enjoyment, such as during leisure time or when pursuing a hobby. It can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation if implying self-indulgence without consideration for others, but primarily it's about personal freedom.
Example
暑假到了,终于能随心所欲地玩了。
Shǔjià dào le, zhōngyú néng suí xīn suǒ yù de wán le.
Summer vacation has arrived, and I can finally play to my heart's content.
Pro tip: The phrase often implies a temporary state of freedom or indulgence, typically experienced after a period of restriction, hard work, or waiting, rather than describing a permanent lifestyle.
Related idioms
受宠若惊 · Feeling overwhelmed by favor手忙脚乱 · Frantic hurried state忐忑不安 · Anxious and restless
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