Chinese Idiom: 无可奈何 (Wu Ke Nai He)
English Translation: There is nothing one can do
pīn yīn: wú kě nài hé
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where one is powerless or has no way to solve a problem or deal with a situation. It expresses a sense of helplessness or resignation in the face of unavoidable circumstances.
Historical Source: The idiom comes from 史记 (Shiji or Records of the Grand Historian) by the historian Sima Qian, specifically from the section 周本纪 (Annals of the Zhou Dynasty).
Idiom Story:
In the Records of the Grand Historian, the story highlights the downfall of King You of Zhou, who was infatuated with his concubine, Bao Si, leading to disastrous consequences for his reign.
The specific passage from 周本纪 (Annals of the Zhou Dynasty) recounts: “In the third year of King You’s reign, he became infatuated with Bao Si, who gave birth to a son, Bo Fu. King You intended to depose the Crown Prince, who was the son of his previous queen, and replace him with Bo Fu. The historian Bo Yang remarked, ‘The disaster has already been set in motion; there is nothing one can do!’”
Bao Si was known for her indifference and lack of laughter, so King You tried various schemes to make her smile, even using the beacon towers to create false alarms of invasion. Initially, the feudal lords responded to these false alarms, but eventually, they grew skeptical and ceased to respond. This led to a loss of trust and ultimately contributed to the downfall of King You’s rule.
The phrase “无可奈何” (wú kě nài hé) thus reflects the historian’s view that the situation had deteriorated to the point where no solution or remedy could be applied. It has come to signify situations where all options have been exhausted and one must simply resign to the circumstances.
