# 听天由命

tīng tiān yóu mìng

Leave the outcome to fate

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Listen to heaven and follow destiny

**Traditional Chinese:** 聽天由命

**Register:** Reflective · general

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

## When to use it

Describe resignation when control seems impossible.

Can be realistic acceptance or premature surrender.

## Understanding the expression

The expression transfers control from personal action to a larger force called heaven or fate. Someone may feel that the available effort is complete and only the outcome remains. In that setting, it can express acceptance. If useful action is still possible, it may criticize passivity. The practical distinction is between acknowledging limits and giving up too early. A sentence should show whether preparation has been exhausted or merely avoided before the appeal to fate.

## Examples

材料交齐了，剩下只能听天由命。

### Traditional Chinese

材料交齊了，剩下只能聽天由命。

cái liào jiāo qí le ， shèng xià zhǐ néng tīng tiān yóu mìng 。

All materials are submitted; the outcome is beyond us.

别听天由命，先检查还能做什么。

### Traditional Chinese

別聽天由命，先檢查還能做什麼。

bié tīng tiān yóu mìng ， xiān jiǎn chá hái néng zuò shén me 。

Do not surrender to fate before checking your options.

他修好防护设施，没有听天由命。

### Traditional Chinese

他修好防護設施，沒有聽天由命。

tā xiū hǎo fáng hù shè shī ， méi yǒu tīng tiān yóu mìng 。

He repaired safeguards instead of leaving matters to fate.

比赛结束后，她平静地听天由命。

### Traditional Chinese

比賽結束後，她平靜地聽天由命。

bǐ sài jié shù hòu ， tā píng jìng dì tīng tiān yóu mìng 。

After the competition, she calmly left the result to fate.

## 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=%E8%81%BD%E5%A4%A9%E7%94%B1%E5%91%BD)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=623&webMd=1&la=0)

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