# 情不自禁

qíng bù zì jīn

Be unable to restrain an emotion-driven action

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Feelings cannot restrain themselves

**Register:** Emotional · general

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe spontaneous laughter, tears, applause, or affection.

Do not use it to excuse harmful actions.

## Understanding the expression

The emotion grows strong enough that deliberate restraint gives way. The expression usually leads into a concrete action: laughing, crying, embracing someone, or joining a song. The response feels spontaneous rather than carefully chosen. It can accompany joy, sadness, or admiration, so it is not tied to one mood. Its explanatory force does not remove responsibility; strong feelings still do not justify behavior that disregards another person's wishes.

## Examples

听到笑话，我情不自禁地笑了。

### Traditional Chinese

聽到笑話，我情不自禁地笑了。

tīng dào xiào huà ， wǒ qíng bù zì jīn dì xiào le 。

I could not help laughing at the joke.

她情不自禁地拥抱了母亲。

### Traditional Chinese

她情不自禁地擁抱了母親。

tā qíng bù zì jīn dì yōng bào le mǔ qīn 。

She spontaneously embraced her mother.

观众情不自禁地鼓起掌来。

### Traditional Chinese

觀眾情不自禁地鼓起掌來。

guān zhòng qíng bù zì jīn dì gǔ qǐ zhǎng lái 。

The audience could not help applauding.

看到旧照片，他情不自禁地落泪。

### Traditional Chinese

看到舊照片，他情不自禁地落淚。

kàn dào jiù zhào piàn ， tā qíng bù zì jīn dì luò lèi 。

The old photo brought involuntary tears.

## 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=%E6%83%85%E4%B8%8D%E8%87%AA%E7%A6%81)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=458&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [青梅竹马 qīng méi zhú mǎ Childhood companions, often a future couple ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/qing-mei-zhu-ma)

- [轻描淡写 qīng miáo dàn xiě Describe something without much emphasis ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/qing-miao-dan-xie)

- [秋毫无犯 qiū háo wú fàn Respect people and property without causing the slightest harm ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/qiu-hao-wu-fan)

- [求全责备 qiú quán zé bèi Demand complete perfection from someone or something ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/qiu-quan-ze-bei)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 锲而不舍 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/qie-er-bu-she) [Next idiom 轻而易举 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/qing-er-yi-ju)