Chinese quotes breakdown: 如坐针毡
如
坐
针
毡
As if sitting on pins and needles; feeling extremely uncomfortable, nervous, or uneasy.
如
rú
as if / like
🔊
坐
zuò
sit
🔊
针
zhēn
needle
🔊
毡
zhān
felt mat
🔊
An idiom used to describe someone who is deeply uncomfortable, anxious, or tense in a given situation, making them unable to sit still or relax.
如坐针毡 (Rú zuò zhēn zhān)
Literally translating to “as if sitting on a mat made of needles and pins,” this phrase paints a clear physical picture. Imagine trying to sit down on a surface poked full of sharp metal needles—you would immediately want to stand up or squirm because every second causes sharp irritation. Metaphorically, people use this when they are trapped in an awkward social environment, waiting for severe test results, or sitting through a harsh reprimand from a boss.
TARGET SENTENCE
As if sitting on pins and needles (extremely uneasy).