📖 Meaning
This idiom means to have things turn out exactly as one wishes, bringing complete satisfaction. The character 趁 (chèn) is used interchangeably with 称 (chèn), meaning 'to suit' or 'to accord with.' It describes a state where one's desires and expectations are fully met.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Qing Dynasty novel 'Dream of the Red Chamber' (红楼梦) by Cao Xueqin, specifically Chapter 57. In the passage, a character remarks that if the elderly matriarch were to suddenly fall ill, although matters might eventually be settled, precious time would be lost and things might not turn out as one wished (趁心如意). The character 趁 (chèn) is a variant of 称 (chèn), both meaning 'to suit' or 'to accord with.' The more common form 称心如意 derives from this same expression.
💡 Example Usage
她终于找到了趁心如意的工作。
She finally found a job that suited her perfectly.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 趁心如意
- Pinyin: chèn xīn rú yì
- Literal Translation: suit, heart, as, wish
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4