dilemma; between a rock and a hard place
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesadjective
in a dilemma; facing a difficult choice between two undesirable options
formalDescribes a situation where any choice leads to negative consequences, causing hesitation and distress. Often used in formal or semi-formal contexts.
Tā他
xiàn现
zài在
jìn进
tuì退
liǎng两
nán难
，
bù不
zhī知
rú如
hé何
shì是
hǎo好
。
He is now in a dilemma and doesn't know what to do.
Qù去
yě也
bù不
hǎo好
，
bù不
qù去
yě也
bù不
hǎo好
，
zhēn真
shì是
liǎng两
nán难
。
It's not good to go, and it's not good not to go. It's truly a dilemma.
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Gōng公
sī司
miàn面
lín临
yī一
gè个
liǎng两
nán难
de的
xuǎn选
zé择
：
cái裁
yuán员
huò或
jiàng降
xīn薪
。
The company faces a difficult choice: layoffs or pay cuts.
Zài在
dào道
dé德
hé和
lì利
yì益
zhī之
jiān间
，
tā他
xiàn陷
rù入
le了
liǎng两
nán难
de的
jìng境
dì地
。
Caught between morality and profit, he finds himself in a dilemma.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
liǎng两
nán难
de的
jú局
miàn面
ràng让
lǐng领
dǎo导
zhě者
fēi非
cháng常
tóu头
téng疼
。
This kind of difficult situation gives leaders a real headache.