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從心所欲

简从心所欲 · 繁從心所欲

Mandarin · pinyin cóng xīn suǒ yù

whatever you like
to do as one pleases

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Characters in this entry

從: cóng · from, by, since, whence, through
心: xīn · heart; mind, intelligence; soul; 5th lunar mansion, determinative star α Scorpii (Antares)
所: suǒ · place, location; numerary adjunct
欲: yù · desire, want, long for; intend
从: cóng · from, by, since, whence, through

Written characters and their own readings; the entry’s pronunciation is shown above.

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Mandarin tones

2–1–3–4 · cong2 xin1 suo3 yu4

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Read this spelling in Classical texts

Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.

從心所欲 · find source passages ↗ · 从心所欲 · find source passages ↗

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Compare dictionary sources Wiktionary · 2 senses

Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section

Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.

phrase

(idiomatic) to follow what one's heart desires; to do as one likes; to act at one's pleasure
(literary) seventy years old

Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history

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