力不从心 lì bù cóng xīn

DEFINITIONS

  1. less capable than desirable (idiom); not as strong as one would wish
  2. the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

CHARACTERS

力 lì
HSK 3
power, capability, influence
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
从 cóng
HSK 2
from, by, since, whence, through
心 xīn
HSK 3
heart; mind, intelligence; soul