百依百顺

百依百順

bǎiyī-bǎishùn

idiom #35,737

Meanings

1 docile and obedient
2 to comply with everything
3 to give in to every whim

Characters

hundred / every

Examples

HSK 7-9

他对妻子百依百顺，从不反驳。

Tā duì qīzi bǎiyībǎishùn, cóngbù fǎnbó.

He gives in to his wife on everything and never argues back.

HSK 7-9

对孩子不能百依百顺，否则会宠坏他们。

Duì háizi bùnéng bǎiyībǎishùn, fǒuzé huì chǒnghuài tāmen.

You can't indulge children in everything, or you'll spoil them.

Tips

history

Recorded in Ming-dynasty 凌濛初's 《初刻拍案惊奇》 (Slapping the Table in Amazement, First Collection): 做爷娘的百依百顺 - 'parents who comply with their child in everything'. The 百...百... pattern (literally 'a-hundred X, a-hundred Y') intensifies both verbs into 'in every way'.

register

Often slightly negative: it implies excessive submissiveness or spoiling, not healthy cooperation. Compare neutral 听话 tīnghuà (obedient) with this stronger doormat-like nuance.

Stroke Order

百 bǎi

依 yī

顺 shùn