忐忑不安
tǎn tè bù ān
Anxious and restless
Describes a state of extreme anxiety, nervousness, and restlessness. Someone experiencing this feels a deep sense of unease and apprehension, often about an impending event or outcome. It captures the feeling of one's heart pounding with worry.
What does 忐忑不安 (tǎn tè bù ān) mean?
忐忑不安 (tǎn tè bù ān) means "anxious and restless" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "uneasy and not peaceful."
Character by character
- 忐 tǎn uneasy
- 忑 tè uneasy
- 不 bù not
- 安 ān peaceful
When to use it
Chinese speakers use this when someone's mind is truly unsettled, often before a significant event like an exam, a job interview, or receiving important news. It implies an internal struggle with fear or uncertainty rather than just mild worry. It is commonly used to describe emotional states.
Example
考试前，他心里忐忑不安。
Kǎoshì qián, tā xīnli tǎn tè bù ān.
Before the exam, he felt very nervous and restless.
Pro tip: The repetition of "忐忑" emphasizes the wavering, unsettled feeling of the heart, making it stronger than simply "不安" (uneasy). It suggests a physical manifestation of anxiety.
Related idioms
手忙脚乱 · Frantic hurried state随心所欲 · Doing as one pleases讨价还价 · Price negotiation
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