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力不从心

lì bù cóng xīn

HSK 7–9

Meaning

  • less capable than desirable (idiom); not as strong as one would wish
  • the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

Definition

心里想做，可是能力或力量不够。

Wanting to do something but lacking the strength or ability to do it.

Usage

形容想做某事但能力或体力不足，常用于表示无奈或遗憾。

Used to describe a situation where one wants to do something but lacks the ability or strength, often expressing helplessness or regret.

Examples

  • 1 年纪大了，爬楼梯时常常感到力不从心。 (As I get older, I often feel unable to climb stairs as I wish.)
  • 2 他想帮助更多的学生，但时间和精力都力不从心。 (He wants to help more students, but time and energy are insufficient.)
  • 3 面对复杂的项目，新手可能会觉得力不从心。 (Facing complex projects, beginners may feel inadequate.)
  • 4 她本想独自完成所有工作，但最后还是力不从心。 (She intended to finish all the work alone, but in the end, it was beyond her ability.)
  • 5 捐款人很多，但应对巨大的灾情仍然力不从心。 (There are many donors, but it is still insufficient to cope with the huge disaster.)

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