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后顾之忧 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
后顾之忧hòugùzhīyōufears of trouble in the rear (idiom); family worries (obstructing freedom of action)HSK 7, i, 26 strokes, rank #33388, Very Hard
后顾之忧hòugùzhīyōuworries about the future consequencesHSK 7, i, 26 strokes, rank #33388, Very Hard
后顾之忧hòugùzhīyōuoften in negative expressions, meaning "no worries about anything"HSK 7, i, 26 strokes, rank #33388, Very Hard
hòugùzhīyōu(hou4gu4zhi1you1)hou gu zhi you T4
  1. 1fears of trouble in the rear (idiom); family worries (obstructing freedom of action)
  2. 2worries about the future consequences
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March 24, 2026

后顾之忧(後顧之憂)hòugùzhīyōu(hou4gu4zhi1you1)

后顾之忧 (hòu gù zhī yōu) refers to the concerns or worries that one has about potential problems or difficulties from behind, often related to family or future consequences. It implies that such worries can hinder one's ability to act freely or pursue new opportunities, highlighting the burden of responsibilities that can affect decision-making.

Strokes26Frequency#33388DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, family obligations are often paramount, and the concept of 后顾之忧 reflects the deep-rooted belief that family ties can influence personal choices. This idiom illustrates how familial responsibilities can create anxiety and affect one's freedom, a prevalent theme in many Chinese stories and discussions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person trying to run forward while looking back at a looming figure (representing family worries) chasing them. The character '后' means 'behind,' '顾' means 'to look,' and '忧' means 'worry.' This visual of looking back at what's behind creates a strong connection between the character and the meaning of being held back by worries.

Meanings of 后顾之忧

hòugùzhīyōu(hou4gu4zhi1you1)
1fears of trouble in the rear (idiom); family worries (obstructing freedom of action)
2worries about the future consequences
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About 后顾之忧

后顾之忧Simplified
後顧之憂Traditional
26Strokes
—Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#33388Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI Study Notes for 后顾之忧

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used in contexts discussing personal decisions, family obligations, or future uncertainties. Be careful not to confuse it with similar idioms that emphasize different aspects of worry or concern. In formal contexts, it can reflect deeper emotional burdens, while in informal speech, it might simply denote everyday anxieties.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 后顾之忧 connects well with other idioms and expressions related to worries and responsibilities. Students should focus on understanding its usage in complex sentences and with other idiomatic expressions to enhance their fluency.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 后顾之忧 with simpler phrases like '忧虑' (worry) and misuse it in contexts that do not involve familial or future concerns. For example, saying '我没有后顾之忧' in a casual context about minor stressors is incorrect; this idiom should pertain to significant worries.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 后顾之忧

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Idiom Spotlight: 后顾之忧

Chengyu Origin Story
Literal meaning:behind care of worry

Component Characters

后hòuempress
HSK 16 strokes口
View full entry
顾gùto look after
HSK 610 strokes页
View full entry
之zhī(possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的[de])
HSK 43 strokes丿
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忧yōuto worry
HSK 67 strokes忄
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How to say fears of trouble in the rear (idiom); family worries (obstructing freedom of action) in Chinese

“fears of trouble in the rear (idiom); family worries (obstructing freedom of action)” in Chinese is后顾之忧hòugùzhīyōu

后顾之忧 (hòu gù zhī yōu) refers to the concerns or worries that one has about potential problems or difficulties from behind, often related to family or future consequences. It implies that such worries can hinder one's ability to act freely or pursue new opportunities, highlighting the burden of responsibilities that can affect decision-making.

When to use 后顾之忧

This idiom is often used in contexts discussing personal decisions, family obligations, or future uncertainties. Be careful not to confuse it with similar idioms that emphasize different aspects of worry or concern. In formal contexts, it can reflect deeper emotional burdens, while in informal speech, it might simply denote everyday anxieties.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 后顾之忧 with simpler phrases like '忧虑' (worry) and misuse it in contexts that do not involve familial or future concerns. For example, saying '我没有后顾之忧' in a casual context about minor stressors is incorrect; this idiom should pertain to significant worries.

Write 后顾之忧

后
顾
之
忧

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Grammar Patterns of 后顾之忧

后顾之忧 functions as a four-character idiom (成语). Treat it as a fixed unit; it usually plays the role of a single adjective, adverb, or noun phrase inside the larger sentence. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

无____而能提早退休当是件幸事。

It would be nice to be able to afford to retire earlier.

Example Sentences for 后顾之忧 (1)

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1
无后顾之忧而能提早退休当是件幸事。

wú hòu gù zhī yōu ér néng tí zǎo tuì xiū dāng shì jiàn xìng shì。

It would be nice to be able to afford to retire earlier.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 后顾之忧

Generally, 后顾之忧 carries a negative connotation, indicating burdensome worries. However, it can sometimes be used to highlight the importance of family in decision-making.

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