有求必应
yǒu qiú bì yìng
to grant every request; never to refuse anyone
Character by character
有yǒu
have
have
求qiú
request
request
必bì
surely
surely
应yìng
answer
answer
Example
王师傅对邻居有求必应，谁家水管坏了都找他。
Master Wang never refuses his neighbours: whoever has a burst pipe goes to him.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
应 is yìng here, “to respond”. Originally of gods: 有求必应 is painted on plaques in temples and shrines. Now also of obliging people (对朋友有求必应); of a doting parent (对孩子有求必应) it can hint at spoiling.
Learn this in Lesson 45 · HSK 5–6: 灶王爷与财神 (The household gods)
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.
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