Chinese idiom · 成语
无拘无束
Meaning
No restraint, no binding; complete freedom.
Character by character
Origin and story
fantasy literatureIn chapter 2 of Journey to the West, Sun Wukong learns the magical cloud-somersault from his master. After practicing the method, he enjoys days described as free of restrictions, with the carefree ease associated with long life. The novel soon shows that supernatural ability does not remove every obligation: his display of transformations before the other disciples brings a rebuke from the master. The idiom itself names the felt freedom, not a moral license to ignore everyone else. Outside the fantasy, it describes relaxed people, unrestricted movement, or a setting where someone can behave naturally without constraint.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
放假回到乡下，孩子们终于可以在院子里无拘无束地玩耍。
Back in the countryside for the holiday, the children could finally play freely in the courtyard.
Describes freedom and ease; can modify a manner of living, playing, or speaking.