唯命是从 — “To obey every command without question”
唯命是从 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to obey every command without question”. To be absolutely submissive and compliant, often implying a lack of independent thought or initiative. Literally, “Only obey orders; follow commands completely”.
唯命是从 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 唯wéi
- 命mìng
- 是shì
- 从cóng
唯命是从 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 唯命是从
Origin and Story of 唯命是从
In 597 BC, King Zhuang of Chu personally led a large army to attack the State of Zheng. Three months later, they successfully broke through the capital of Zheng.
Out of helplessness, Duke Xiang of Zheng had no choice but to bare his upper body, lead a sheep, and plead with King Zhuang of Chu, saying: 'I have failed to properly serve Your Majesty and have incurred your displeasure; these are all my faults. From now on, whatever Your Majesty commands, I shall obey. As long as Your Majesty does not destroy Zheng, and allows Zheng to serve you like your many other vassal states, that would be your great kindness and my heartfelt wish. I boldly speak my mind; please make your decision, Your Majesty.'
King Zhuang, seeing Duke Zheng's pitiful appearance, believed that Duke Zheng could win the trust of his people, so he ordered his troops to withdraw, allowed Zheng to seek peace, and concluded an alliance with Zheng.
Idioms Related to 唯命是从
Synonyms of 唯命是从
Antonyms of 唯命是从
More idioms starting with 唯
- wéi唯yī一wú无èr二unique and unparalleled
- wéi唯lì利shì是cóng从driven solely by profit
- wéi唯lì利shì是tú图driven solely by profit
- wéi唯lì利shì是qiú求seek only profit
- wéi唯lì利shì是shì视solely driven by profit
- wéi唯lì力shì是shì视rely solely on one's own strength
- wéi唯wú吾dú独zūn尊supremely arrogant
- wéi唯mìng命shì是tīng听obey every command without question
- wěi唯wěi唯fǒu否fǒu否timidly echo others' opinions
- wéi唯wéi唯chóu绸fǒu否always agreeing, evasive, and noncommittal
- wéi唯wéi唯nuò诺nuò诺obsequiously agree to everything
- wéi唯wéi唯lián连shēng声repeatedly agree obsequiously
Questions about 唯命是从
- What does 唯命是从 mean?
- 唯命是从 (wéi mìng shì cóng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to obey every command without question”.
- How do you pronounce 唯命是从?
- 唯命是从 is pronounced wéi mìng shì cóng in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 唯命是从 literally mean?
- Literally, 唯命是从 means “Only obey orders; follow commands completely”. It is used to mean “to obey every command without question”.
- Where does 唯命是从 come from?
- 唯命是从 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 唯命是从?
- 是命令就服从，不敢有半点违抗。