无所适从

無所適從

wúsuǒ-shìcóng

idiom #21,616

Meanings

1 not knowing what to do
2 at a loss
3 overwhelmed by conflicting options

Characters

place; thing (nominalizer)

suitable; fitting

to follow; to comply

Examples

规则太多，学生们感到无所适从。

Guīzé tài duō, xuésheng men gǎndào wúsuǒshìcóng.

There were so many rules that the students felt completely at a loss.

面对各种建议，她无所适从，不知道该听谁的。

Miànduì gèzhǒng jiànyì, tā wúsuǒshìcóng, bùzhī dào gāi tīng shéi de.

Faced with all kinds of advice, she didn't know what to do or who to listen to.

Tips

memory

Literally: 无 (no/without) + 所 (place/thing) + 适 (suitable) + 从 (to follow). There is no suitable course to follow — you're stuck with no clear direction. Great for describing decision paralysis.

Stroke Order

无 wú

所 suǒ

适 shì

从 cóng