# 委曲求全

wěi qū qiú quán

Make concessions to preserve a larger relationship or outcome

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Accept bends and grievances to seek completeness

**Register:** Standard · expressive

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

## When to use it

Describe yielding to avoid rupture.

Compromise should not require accepting repeated unfair treatment.

## Understanding the expression

The person accepts discomfort or gives up part of a claim so that a larger whole can survive. The expression may describe practical compromise, but often carries sadness about unfair concessions. It is not the same as mutual negotiation when both sides benefit fairly. The context should show what is being preserved and what the person sacrifices. A relationship worth maintaining still needs limits; continuing harm should not be excused as the price of harmony.

## Examples

她为保住合作而委曲求全。

### Traditional Chinese

她為保住合作而委曲求全。

tā wèi bǎo zhù hé zuò ér wěi qū qiú quán 。

She made painful concessions to preserve the partnership.

他不愿再委曲求全，提出合理条件。

### Traditional Chinese

他不願再委曲求全，提出合理條件。

tā bú yuàn zài wěi qū qiú quán ， tí chū hé lǐ tiáo jiàn 。

He refused further unfair concessions and proposed reasonable terms.

为了孩子，她暂时委曲求全。

### Traditional Chinese

為了孩子，她暫時委曲求全。

wèi le hái zi ， tā zàn shí wěi qū qiú quán 。

For the children’s sake, she temporarily accepted an uncomfortable compromise.

委曲求全多年后，她终于说出不满。

### Traditional Chinese

委曲求全多年後，她終於說出不滿。

wěi qū qiú quán duō nián hòu ， tā zhōng yú shuō chū bù mǎn 。

After years of yielding, she finally expressed her dissatisfaction.

## 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%A7%94%E6%9B%B2%E6%B1%82%E5%85%A8)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1046&webMd=1&la=0)

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