力不从心 (lì bù cóng xīn) — (idiom) to have one's ability fall short of one's desire; the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
Definition
Chengyu: your strength (力) cannot follow your heart/wish (心) — you want to do something but lack the energy or ability. Use it to describe a mismatch between ambition and capacity, often with a touch of helplessness.
idiom
to have one's ability fall short of one's desirethe spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
Examples
- ，力不从心。Tā nián jì dà le, zuò jiā wù shí cháng cháng gǎn dào lì bù cóng xīn.He is old and often feels that his strength can't keep up with his wishes when doing housework.
- ，力不从心。Wǒ yě xiǎng duō duàn liàn, kě shì zǒng lì bù cóng xīn.I also want to exercise more, but I always find myself unable to follow through.
- ，力不从心。Zhè cì gōng zuò rèn wu hěn zhòng, tā zhēn shì lì bù cóng xīn a.This work task is very heavy; he really can't match his willpower with his ability.
Appears in
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