无所适从
wú suǒ shì cóng
not knowing which way to turn or whom to follow
Character by character
无wú
no
no
所suǒ
what
what
适shì
go to
go to
从cóng
follow
follow
Example
新规定一个月改了三次，让大家无所适从。
The new rules changed three times in a month, and nobody knew what to do.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
适 means “to go to”. It goes back to 《左传》: 一国三公，吾谁适从？ “One state and three lords: whom am I to follow?” Usually caused by too many or clashing instructions: 让人无所适从.
Learn this in Lesson 219 · HSK 9+: 俗语打架 (When proverbs disagree)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
Open the lesson →