# 仁至义尽

rén zhì yì jìn

Have done everything one reasonably owes

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Benevolence and duty carried to their limits

**Traditional Chinese:** 仁至義盡

**Register:** Standard · expressive

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

## When to use it

Use after making every reasonable effort for someone.

Can introduce refusal of further demands.

## Understanding the expression

The expression presents both kindness and obligation as having been fulfilled as far as possible. Someone may have offered repeated help, explained patiently, or given generous chances before deciding to stop. It often marks a boundary: further assistance is no longer reasonably owed. The claim can sound self justifying, so the surrounding facts matter. It does not mean that every future request is unfair simply because some help has already been given.

## Examples

我们已经仁至义尽，不能再借钱。

### Traditional Chinese

我們已經仁至義盡，不能再借錢。

wǒ men yǐ jīng rén zhì yì jìn ， bù néng zài jiè qián 。

We have done all we reasonably can and cannot lend more money.

她照顾他多年，已仁至义尽。

### Traditional Chinese

她照顧他多年，已仁至義盡。

tā zhào gù tā duō nián ， yǐ rén zhì yì jìn 。

After caring for him for years, she has fulfilled every reasonable duty.

公司给了三次机会，算是仁至义尽。

### Traditional Chinese

公司給了三次機會，算是仁至義盡。

gōng sī gěi le sān cì jī huì ， suàn shì rén zhì yì jìn 。

By giving three chances, the company has done everything reasonably expected.

他认为自己仁至义尽，决定退出。

### Traditional Chinese

他認為自己仁至義盡，決定退出。

tā rèn wéi zì jǐ rén zhì yì jìn ， jué dìng tuì chū 。

He felt he had done all he owed and decided to step away.

## 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=%E4%BB%81%E8%87%B3%E7%BE%A9%E7%9B%A1)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=745&webMd=1&la=0)

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