手不释卷
手不释卷 (shǒu bù shì juàn) literally means “hand not release scroll” and expresses “diligent in learning”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: shou bu shi juan, shou bu shi juan,手不释卷 meaning, 手不释卷 in english
Diligent in learning
Pronunciation: shǒu bù shì juàn Literal meaning: Hand not release scroll
Origin & Usage
The idiom 手不释卷 (shǒu bù shì juàn) originates from the Three Kingdoms period, specifically from the writings of Cao Pi (曹丕) in 《典论·自叙》. It describes the diligence of individuals who, even amidst their busy lives, never let go of their books (卷, juàn). The story often associated with this idiom involves Lü Meng (吕蒙), a general of Eastern Wu, who was encouraged by Sun Quan (孙权) to read more and enhance his knowledge despite his military duties. Inspired by Sun Quan's advice, Lü Meng became a learned and strategic leader. The idiom breaks down to 手 (shǒu, hand), 不 (bù, not), 释 (shì, release), and 卷 (juàn, scroll/book), symbolizing a relentless pursuit of knowledge. In modern usage, it praises those who are dedicated to continuous learning and self-improvement.
Examples
English: "She was so engrossed in her studies that she hardly noticed the time passing."
Chinese: 他手不释卷，沉浸在书本中。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 手不释卷 mean in English?
手不释卷 (shǒu bù shì juàn) literally translates to “Hand not release scroll” and is used to express “Diligent in learning”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 手不释卷 used?
Situation: She was so engrossed in her studies that she hardly noticed the time passing.
What is the pinyin for 手不释卷?
The pinyin pronunciation for 手不释卷 is “shǒu bù shì juàn”.