Definition
This chengyu (four‑character idiom) literally means 'water sources meet on both left and right' — a metaphor for having resources or opportunities from all sides. In modern Chinese it can be used either positively (to have everything going one's way, to be in a very favorable situation) or negatively (to be overly smooth, to play both sides for personal gain). Context usually makes the tone clear.
id.
to have everything going one's wayto benefit from both sides(often derogatory) to be smooth and slick in social relationsto curry favor from all sides
Examples
- ，左右逢源，。Tā píngjiè chūsè de nénglì, zài gōngsī lǐ zuǒ yòu féng yuán, shìyè zhēngzhēngrìshàng.Relying on his outstanding abilities, he has everything going his way at the company, and his career is thriving.
- 左右逢源，，。Zhège zhèngkè tài huì zuǒ yòu féng yuán le, duì shuí dōu shuō hǎohuà, jiéguǒ méi rén zhēnzhèng xìnrèn tā.That politician is too smooth at playing both sides — he says nice things to everyone, and as a result, no one really trusts him.
- ，左右逢源，。Zuò zhè yī háng, rénmài guǎng cáinéng zuǒ yòu féng yuán, kèhù hé gōngyìngshāng dōu yuànyì hézuò.In this line of work, you need a wide network to have opportunities from all sides — both clients and suppliers are willing to cooperate.
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