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为所欲为 (wéi suǒ yù wéi) — to do as one pleases (with negative connotation); to act without restraint

Definition

A negative idiom meaning to do whatever one wants, unchecked. Used almost always in warnings or criticism (often paired with 不允许, 不能, or 不可) to condemn acting without restraint.

idiom
to do as one pleases (with negative connotation)to act without restraint

Examples

  • ，为所欲为。
    Tā zhàng zhe jiā lǐ de guān xì, zài dān wèi lǐ wéi suǒ yù wéi.
    He relies on family connections and does whatever he wants at work.
  • 为所欲为。
    Fǎ lǜ bù yǔn xǔ rèn hé rén wéi suǒ yù wéi.
    The law does not allow anyone to act with impunity.
  • ，为所欲为。
    Zhè ge lǐng dǎo zhuān hèng bá hù, wéi suǒ yù wéi guàn le.
    This boss is arrogant and tyrannical, used to doing whatever he wants.

Origin

Characters in this word

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.

Open 为 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
斤斤jīnaxe
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.

Open 所 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
欠欠qiàn
Sound part声符shēngfú
谷
谷gǔ欲yù
Same sound today

欲 is made of 谷, which supplies the sound, and 欠, which relates to the meaning.

Open 欲 →

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.

Open 为 →
Appears in
Idioms & Set PhrasesWill & Intention

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