放任自流

fàngrènzìliú

idiom #27,966

Meanings

1 to let things drift
2 to give free rein
3 to let sb do as they please
4 laissez-faire

Characters

to let go; to release

to allow; to let

self; by itself

to flow; to drift

Examples

父母不应该对孩子放任自流，要给予适当的引导。

Fùmǔ bù yīnggāi duì háizi fàngrèn zìliú, yào jǐyǔ shìdāng de yǐndǎo.

Parents shouldn't let their children do as they please — they need to provide proper guidance.

如果放任自流，这个问题只会越来越严重。

Rúguǒ fàngrèn zìliú, zhège wèntí zhǐ huì yuè lái yuè yánzhòng.

If left unchecked, this problem will only get worse and worse.

Tips

usage

放任自流 has a negative connotation — it implies a failure to manage or guide something properly. It is different from giving someone healthy independence; it means neglectful hands-off treatment.

Stroke Order

放 fàng

任 rèn

自 zì

流 liú