不由自主
- Literal
- not up to oneself; not master of oneself
- Figurative
- Involuntarily, without being able to help it: when the body or emotions react on their own, beyond one's control.
Where does 不由自主 come from?
It does not come from a particular tale; it is a common set phrase: 不由 ("not depending on") plus 自主 ("to govern oneself") literally says that something is not in the hands of one's own will. It already appears in the classic novel 《红楼梦》 (Cao Xueqin, Qing dynasty), the source dictionaries usually cite, and today it is used daily for spontaneous reactions: bursting out laughing, trembling, or suddenly remembering something.
Source (出处): 《红楼梦》
How is 不由自主 used? Two examples
- 听到这个好消息，她不由自主地笑了起来。
On hearing the good news, she couldn't help breaking into a smile.
- 看到那张老照片，我不由自主地想起了童年。
Seeing that old photo, I found myself thinking of my childhood without meaning to.
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