# 咎由自取

jiù yóu zì qǔ

Bring trouble upon oneself

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** The blame is taken from oneself

**Register:** Critical · expressive

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe consequences caused by one’s own misconduct.

Do not assume every misfortune is deserved.

## Understanding the expression

The expression locates the cause of trouble in the person’s own actions. Ignoring clear warnings, repeatedly deceiving others, or breaking an important rule may bring a foreseeable consequence. It is usually critical and can sound unsympathetic. Establishing the causal link matters: illness, poverty, and accidents are not automatically self inflicted. Even when someone contributed to a problem, understanding other causes may still be necessary for a fair judgment.

## Examples

他屡次作弊被开除，咎由自取。

### Traditional Chinese

他屢次作弊被開除，咎由自取。

tā lǚ cì zuò bì bèi kāi chú ， jiù yóu zì qǔ 。

His expulsion after repeated cheating was his own doing.

不听警告导致损失，真是咎由自取。

### Traditional Chinese

不聽警告導致損失，真是咎由自取。

bù tīng jǐng gào dǎo zhì sǔn shī ， zhēn shì jiù yóu zì qǔ 。

Ignoring the warning caused the loss; he brought it on himself.

她拒绝把意外说成咎由自取。

### Traditional Chinese

她拒絕把意外說成咎由自取。

tā jù jué bǎ yì wài shuō chéng jiù yóu zì qǔ 。

She refused to call the accident self-inflicted.

他撒谎失去信任，完全咎由自取。

### Traditional Chinese

他撒謊失去信任，完全咎由自取。

tā sā huǎng shī qù xìn rèn ， wán quán jiù yóu zì qǔ 。

He lost trust by lying and had only himself to blame.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%92%8E%E7%94%B1%E8%87%AA%E5%8F%96)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=789&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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- [举棋不定 jǔ qí bù dìng Hesitate over a decision ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ju-qi-bu-ding)

- [开门揖盗 kāi mén yī dào Invite harm through careless openness ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/kai-men-yi-dao)

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