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悠然自得

yōuránzìdé
idiom #63,321

Meanings

  1. 1 carefree and content
  2. 2 leisurely and at ease
  3. 3 quietly pleased with oneself

Examples

退休后他在乡下种菜养花，过得悠然自得。
Tuìxiū hòu tā zài xiāngxià zhòng cài yǎng huā, guò de yōuránzìdé.
After retiring, he grew vegetables and flowers in the countryside, living a leisurely and contented life.
老爷爷坐在院子里喝茶，一副悠然自得的样子。
Lǎo yéye zuò zài yuànzi lǐ hē chá, yí fù yōuránzìdé de yàngzi.
The old grandpa sat drinking tea in the courtyard, looking perfectly at ease.
猫咪晒着太阳，悠然自得地伸了个懒腰。
Māomī shài zhe tàiyáng, yōuránzìdé de shēn le ge lǎn yāo.
The cat basked in the sun and stretched lazily, utterly content.

Tips

history
Used in the Jin Shu (《晋书·苻坚载记·王猛》) to describe Wang Meng, who remained 悠然自得 and unbothered when 'fashionable scholars' mocked him. The phrase captures that quiet inner ease that doesn't need external approval.
memory
悠然 = 'leisurely and far-away in mood' + 自得 = 'pleased with oneself.' Picture someone unhurried, softly smiling to themselves.

Stroke Order

悠 yōu
然 rán
自 zì
得 dé