📖 Meaning
To remain completely composed and natural in demeanor, exactly as usual. It describes someone who stays calm and unruffled when facing danger, surprise, or pressure. Also written as 意气自如.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase comes from the Book of Han (汉书), in the biography of the famous Western Han general Li Guang. During a campaign against the Xiongnu in the north, Li Guang's army was defeated and his soldiers were so terrified that all color drained from their faces. Yet Li Guang himself remained calm, his bearing unchanged and utterly composed. The line records: 广为匈奴所败，吏士皆无人色，广意气自若. The idiom has since been used to praise steadfast composure in a crisis.
💡 Example Usage
面对突如其来的质问，他意气自若，从容回答。
Faced with the sudden questioning, he remained completely composed and answered unhurriedly.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 意气自若
- Pinyin: yì qì zì ruò
- Literal Translation: bearing, self, as usual
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4