为所欲为

為所欲為

wéisuǒyùwéi

idiom #8,593

Meanings

1 to do as one pleases; to act however one wants
2 to do whatever one desires (often with negative connotation)

Characters

that which (classical particle)

to desire; to want

Do + what + desire + do — literally 'do what one desires to do.' Classical grammar: 所欲为 = 'that which one desires to do.'

Examples

他仗着权力为所欲为。

Tā zhàng zhe quánlì wéisuǒyùwéi.

He does whatever he wants, relying on his power.

没有人可以为所欲为而不受惩罚。

Méiyǒu rén kěyǐ wéisuǒyùwéi ér bù shòu chéngfá.

No one can do as they please without being punished.

你以为你可以为所欲为吗？

Nǐ yǐwéi nǐ kěyǐ wéisuǒyùwéi ma?

Do you think you can do whatever you want?

Tips

usage

为所欲为 almost always carries a negative connotation — implying someone acts selfishly, arrogantly, or without regard for rules. It's rarely used positively, unlike the English 'do as you please.'

grammar

This is a classical Chinese construction. 所 + verb creates a noun phrase ('that which is verbed'), so 所欲为 = 'that which one desires to do.' The outer 为 means 'to do.'

Stroke Order

为 wèi

所 suǒ

欲 yù