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

HSK 3

面对各种建议，她无所适从，不知道该听谁的。

Miànduì gèzhǒng jiànyì, tā wúsuǒ-shìcóng, bù zhīdào gāi tīng shéi de.

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

HSK 4

规则太多，学生们感到无所适从。

Guīzé tài duō, xuésheng men gǎndào wúsuǒ-shìcóng.

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

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