爱不释手
爱不释手 (ài bù shì shǒu) literally means “love not release hand” and expresses “cherish something too much to put it down”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: ai bu shi shou, ai bu shi shou,爱不释手 meaning, 爱不释手 in english
Cherish something too much to put it down
Pronunciation: ài bù shì shǒu Literal meaning: Love not release hand
Origin & Usage
Song Dynasty connoisseurs first used this phrase to describe loving something so much (爱) one cannot (不) release (释) it from hand (手). Their writings captured that special attachment collectors feel toward precious artifacts. Ming Dynasty poets expanded it to embrace emotional attachments beyond physical objects. The tactile metaphor perfectly captures how physical reluctance to release reflects deeper psychological attachment. Modern usage spans from art appreciation to emotional bonds, describing attractions so intense they manifest in physical inability to let go.
Examples
English: "She couldn't put down the antique jade pendant, examining it from every angle"
Chinese: 她爱不释手地把玩着那枚古玉坠，从各个角度欣赏它
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
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yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 爱不释手 mean in English?
爱不释手 (ài bù shì shǒu) literally translates to “Love not release hand” and is used to express “Cherish something too much to put it down”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 爱不释手 used?
Situation: She couldn't put down the antique jade pendant, examining it from every angle
What is the pinyin for 爱不释手?
The pinyin pronunciation for 爱不释手 is “ài bù shì shǒu”.