suí随followbō波waveszhú逐chaseliú流flow
To drift with the tide; to go with the flow; to follow the crowd without one's own opinion.
Literal meaning
follow (随) — waves (波) — chase (逐) — flow (流)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing someone who lacks independent thought and conforms to the prevailing trends.
Examples
tā他zǒng总shì是suí随bō波zhú逐liú流，méi没yǒu有zì自jǐ己de的zhǔ主jiàn见。
He always goes with the flow and doesn't have his own opinions.
wǒ我men们bù不yīng应gāi该suí随bō波zhú逐liú流，yào要yǒu有zì自jǐ己de的pàn判duàn断lì力。
We should not drift with the tide; we should have our own judgment.
Usage & nuances
Often carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of individuality or critical thinking.
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