不为所动 (bù wéi suǒ dòng) — to remain unmoved by (words, beauty, threats, e…

Definition

Idiom meaning to stay unmoved and firm in one's resolve despite outside pressure — persuasion, temptation, or threats fail to change one's position.

idiom

to remain unmoved by (words, beauty, threats, etc.)steadfast(set phrase) not swayed by outside influence

，不为所动。
Wú lùn duì fāng rú hé quàn shuō, tā dōu bù wéi suǒ dòng.
No matter how much the other party tried to persuade him, he remained unmoved.
，不为所动，。
Miàn duì yòu huò, tā bù wéi suǒ dòng, jiān shǒu le zì jǐ de yuán zé.
Faced with temptation, she was not swayed and held to her principles.
，不为所动，。
Jí shǐ suǒ yǒu rén fǎn duì, tā yě bù wéi suǒ dòng, jiān chí zì jǐ de jué dìng.
Even if everyone opposed him, he remained unmoved and stuck to his decision.

Characters in this word

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

The picture in 不 originally showed a flower’s calyx; the “no” sense came later from a related character, not from this picture.

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 為; 为 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 為 showed a hand holding an elephant; the simplified 为 is a later shorthand.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

戶斤所

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

戶

戶hù所suǒ

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

所 pairs 斤, an axe, with 戶, which gives the sound hù; the old meaning was the sound of logging.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 動; 动 is its simplified writing.

重力動

Meaning part形符xíngfú

力力lìstrength

Sound part声符shēngfú

重

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 動 uses 力 (strength) and 重 as a sound part; 重 refers to a heavy bag ready to be moved by a human. This note is about 動, not 动.

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