忘乎所以
忘乎所以 (wàng hū suǒ yǐ) literally means “forget one's place” and expresses “lose composure”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: wang hu suo yi, wang hu suo yi,忘乎所以 meaning, 忘乎所以 in english
Lose composure
Pronunciation: wàng hū suǒ yǐ Literal meaning: Forget one's place
Origin & Usage
The idiom 忘乎所以 (wàng hū suǒ yǐ) is commonly used in classical Chinese to describe a state of being carried away by excessive excitement or pride, leading to a loss of composure or awareness of one's surroundings. The phrase is composed of four characters: 忘 (wàng, forget), 乎 (hū, at), 所 (suǒ, place), and 以 (yǐ, reason), which together convey the idea of forgetting one's place or reason. Although its exact origin is not tied to a specific historical event, it is notably referenced in the Ming dynasty work 《醒世恒言》 by Feng Menglong. In contemporary usage, this idiom serves as a caution against losing oneself in moments of triumph or elation, reminding individuals to maintain humility and awareness.
Examples
English: "He was so engrossed in the concert that he lost track of time."
Chinese: 他陶醉于音乐会中，忘乎所以，完全忘记了时间。
Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 忘乎所以 mean in English?
忘乎所以 (wàng hū suǒ yǐ) literally translates to “Forget one's place” and is used to express “Lose composure”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 忘乎所以 used?
Situation: He was so engrossed in the concert that he lost track of time.
What is the pinyin for 忘乎所以?
The pinyin pronunciation for 忘乎所以 is “wàng hū suǒ yǐ”.