难分难舍
难分难舍 (nán fēn nán shě) literally means “hard to part, hard to leave” and expresses “be inseparable; hate to part”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: nan fen nan she, nan fen nan she,难分难舍 meaning, 难分难舍 in english
Be inseparable; hate to part
Pronunciation: nán fēn nán shě
Literal meaning: Hard to part, hard to leave
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes being hard (难) to part (分) and hard (难) to leave (舍). It depicts the pain of separation when attachment is strong. The doubled structure emphasizes the difficulty of saying goodbye. Modern usage describes the emotional difficulty of parting from loved ones, the reluctance to end a meeting or relationship when feelings run deep.
Examples
English: "The farewell was emotional as neither wanted to say goodbye."
Chinese: 告别时他们难分难舍，都不想说再见。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 难分难舍 mean in English?
难分难舍 (nán fēn nán shě) literally translates to “Hard to part, hard to leave” and is used to express “Be inseparable; hate to part”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 难分难舍 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving be inseparable; hate to part.
What is the pinyin for 难分难舍?
The pinyin pronunciation for 难分难舍 is “nán fēn nán shě”.