Definition
左右为难 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'to be in a dilemma' — stuck between two equally difficult or undesirable options, unable to decide without upsetting one side. The literal sense is 'left and right, both difficult', capturing the feeling of being pulled in opposite directions. You can use it to describe indecision, a sticky situation, or a hard choice where no outcome is great.
f.e.
in a dilemmafaced with a difficult choicebetween a rock and a hard place
Examples
- 左右为难，。Zhè jiàn shì ràng jīnglǐ zuǒ yòu wéi, shízài bù zhīdao gāi zěnme chǔlǐ.This matter put the manager in a dilemma — he really didn't know how to handle it.
- ，，左右为难。Tā jì bù xiǎng dézuì péngyou, yòu bù xiǎng sāhuǎng, zhēnshi zuǒ yòu wéi.She didn't want to offend her friend, nor did she want to lie — it was really a dilemma.
- ，左右为难，。Miànduì liǎng gè gōngzuò jīhuì, tā zuǒ yòu wéi, bù zhīdao xuǎn nǎ ge hǎo.Faced with two job offers, he was in a dilemma, not knowing which one to choose.
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