# 随心所欲

suí xīn suǒ yù

Do as one's own wishes suggest

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Follow what the heart desires

**Traditional Chinese:** 隨心所欲

**Register:** General · spoken & written

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

## When to use it

Describe freedom to choose, sometimes with a caution about restraint.

Personal freedom should respect shared needs and agreed limits.

## The image & its use

The expression follows an intention from a person's heart directly into action. In a relaxed setting it can describe welcome freedom, such as choosing a color or arranging a free afternoon. In another context it criticizes ignoring constraints or other people's needs. The tone therefore depends on what is being chosen and who is affected. A useful sentence distinguishes a harmless personal preference from a decision that requires cooperation, rather than treating all spontaneity alike.

## Examples

假期里，她随心所欲地安排散步路线。

### Traditional Chinese

假期裡，她隨心所欲地安排散步路線。

jià qī lǐ ， tā suí xīn suǒ yù dì ān pái sàn bù lù xiàn 。

During the holiday, she chose her walking routes freely.

你可以随心所欲地选择颜色。

### Traditional Chinese

你可以隨心所欲地選擇顏色。

nǐ kě yǐ suí xīn suǒ yù dì xuǎn zé yán sè 。

You may choose whichever color you like.

共同使用的房间不能随心所欲地改动。

### Traditional Chinese

共同使用的房間不能隨心所欲地改動。

gòng tóng shǐ yòng de fáng jiān bù néng suí xīn suǒ yù dì gǎi dòng 。

A shared room should not be changed on one person's whim.

创作时可以随心所欲，交稿前仍要检查。

### Traditional Chinese

創作時可以隨心所欲，交稿前仍要檢查。

chuàng zuò shí kě yǐ suí xīn suǒ yù ， jiāo gǎo qián réng yào jiǎn chá 。

Create freely, then check the work before handing it in.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1166&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%9A%A8%E5%BF%83%E6%89%80%E6%AC%B2)

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