TongTong
Sign in

因人而异 (yīn rén ér yì) — to vary from person to person; it depends on the individual

Definition

Sets 成语 meaning something differs for each person (taste, effect, preference). 见仁见智 is similar but specifically about opinions being debatable; 因人而异 is broader, covering facts and outcomes too.

phrase
to vary from person to personit depends on the individual

Examples

  • 因人而异，，。
    Měi gè rén de kǒu wèi yīn rén ér yì, yǒu rén xǐ huan là de, yǒu rén bù xǐ huan.
    Everyone's taste varies from person to person — some like spicy food, some don't.
  • 因人而异，。
    Zhè zhǒng yào de liáo xiào yīn rén ér yì, bù néng bǎo zhèng suǒ yǒu rén dōu yǒu xiào.
    The effectiveness of this drug varies from person to person; it can't be guaranteed for everyone.
  • 因人而异，。
    Shěn měi biāo zhǔn yīn rén ér yì, nǐ rèn wéi hǎo kàn de bié rén bù yí dìng xǐ huan.
    Aesthetic standards vary from person to person — what you think is beautiful, others may not like.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 囗囗wéisheet
  • 大大dàperson

Originally, 因 showed 大 (a person) on 囗 (a sheet or mattress).

Open 因 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 人 shows a side view of a standing person, with an arm and a leg.

Open 人 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 而 is a picture of a beard.

Open 而 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 異; 异 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 異 depicts a person with a mask 田 over the face, so the face looks different. The simplified 异 is a later shorthand.

Open 异 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.