Definition
This four-character idiom (chengyu) describes a passive attitude of accepting hardship, unfair treatment, or adversity without resistance — literally 'adversity comes, accept it meekly.' It often carries a tone of resignation or helplessness, and is used to criticize or describe someone who endures mistreatment rather than fighting back. Unlike the English 'resign oneself,' which can be neutral, 逆来顺受 usually implies disapproval of the person's passivity.
f.e.
to meekly submit to adversityto resign oneself to hardship without protest
Examples
- ,逆来顺受,。Miànduì bùgōng, tā xuǎnzé nì lái shùn shòu, cóng bù fǎnkàng.Faced with injustice, he chooses to meekly submit and never resists.
- 逆来顺受。Zhè zhǒng nì lái shùn shòu de xìnggé ràng tā chī le hěnduō kuī.This kind of resigned-to-adversity personality caused him to suffer many losses.
- 逆来顺受,。Tā bú zài nì lái shùn shòu, ér shì yǒnggǎn de zhàn chūlái wéi quán.She no longer meekly submits to adversity but bravely stands up to defend her rights.
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