xīnyǒuyúérlìbùzú
心余力绌
willing but unable; lack strength
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to have the heart but lack the strength; the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
neutralExpresses the feeling of wanting to help or accomplish something but being physically, financially, or practically unable to do so. Often used as a polite way to decline a request when one genuinely wishes to help.
Wǒ我
hěn很
xiǎng想
bāng帮
nǐ你
，
dàn但
shì是
xīn心
yǒu有
yú余
ér而
lì力
bù不
zú足
。
I really want to help you, but I'm unable to do so.
Yé爷
ye爷
xiǎng想
zì自
jǐ己
qù去
mǎi买
cài菜
，
kě可
shì是
xīn心
yǒu有
yú余
ér而
lì力
bù不
zú足
，
hái还
shì是
ràng让
ér儿
zi子
qù去
ba吧
。
Grandpa wanted to buy groceries himself, but his heart was willing while his strength was lacking, so he let his son go instead.
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Zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
wǒ我
bù不
shì是
bù不
xiǎng想
zuò做
，
shí实
zài在
shì是
xīn心
yǒu有
yú余
ér而
lì力
bù不
zú足
a啊
。
It's not that I don't want to do this; I truly have the will but not the means.