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左右为难

zuǒ yòu wéi nán

torn between two sides; in a dilemma

Character by character

左zuǒ
left
右yòu
right
为wéi
be
难nán
hard

Example

一边是父母,一边是女朋友,他左右为难。
His parents on one side, his girlfriend on the other: he's stuck in the middle.

Tone: neutral.

Usage and origin

为 wéi = be, 难 nán. Very common for family and work conflicts.

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