如释重负
如释重负 (rú shì zhòng fù) literally means “as if releasing a heavy burden” and expresses “feeling relieved”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: ru shi zhong fu, ru shi zhong fu,如释重负 meaning, 如释重负 in english
Feeling relieved
Pronunciation: rú shì zhòng fù Literal meaning: As if releasing a heavy burden
Origin & Usage
The Guliang commentary describes the state of Lu after Duke Zhao, whose misgovernment had cost him everything, finally fled: 民如释重负 — the people felt as though (如) a heavy (重) load (负) had been set down (释). The phrase is precise about the physiology of relief: the sensation is in the shoulders, and it arrives at the moment the weight leaves rather than afterwards. It is used at the end of examinations, of long illnesses and of projects, and the original context is worth remembering, since the burden that lifted was a person.
Examples
English: "After finally finishing her thesis, she felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders."
Chinese: 她终于完成了论文，感觉如释重负。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
负重前行
fù zhòng qián xíng
Progress despite difficulties
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负重致远
fù zhòng zhì yuǎn
Able to carry great responsibility
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忍辱负重
rěn rǔ fù zhòng
Bear disgrace to discharge a duty
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爱不释手
ài bù shì shǒu
Cherish something too much to put it down
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手不释卷
shǒu bù shì juàn
Diligent in learning
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负荆请罪
fù jīng qǐng zuì
Sincerely admit fault and accept consequences
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忘恩负义
wàng ēn fù yì
Ungrateful betrayal
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积重难返
jī zhòng nán fǎn
Entrenched practice resists reversal
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 如释重负 mean in English?
如释重负 (rú shì zhòng fù) literally translates to “As if releasing a heavy burden” and is used to express “Feeling relieved”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 如释重负 used?
Situation: After finally finishing her thesis, she felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
What is the pinyin for 如释重负?
The pinyin pronunciation for 如释重负 is “rú shì zhòng fù”.