依依不舍
依依不舍 (yī yī bù shě) literally means “clinging and unwilling to part” and expresses “reluctant to part; lingering attachment”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character.
Also searched as: yi yi bu she, yi yi bu she,依依不舍 meaning, 依依不舍 in english
Reluctant to part; lingering attachment
Pronunciation: yī yī bù shě Literal meaning: Clinging and unwilling to part
Origin & Usage
依 is to lean on or cling to, and 依依 has two settled senses: the soft swaying of branches, as in the Book of Songs' willows at a parting, and the one at work here, the look of somebody reluctant to go. With 不舍, unwilling (不) to let go (舍), the phrase stretches the moment of separation out. What it catches is a body's reluctance rather than a decision — the pause at the door, the turning back. Farewells at stations and airports, and leaving somewhere one will not be returning to.
Examples
English: "The family said goodbye with great reluctance at the airport."
Chinese: 一家人在机场依依不舍地告别。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
恋恋不舍
liàn liàn bù shě
Be deeply reluctant to leave
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难分难舍
nán fēn nán shě
Be inseparable; hate to part
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唇齿相依
chún chǐ xiāng yī
Mutual reliance
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心照不宣
xīn zhào bù xuān
Tacit understanding; unspoken agreement
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无微不至
wú wēi bù zhì
Meticulous; attentive to every detail
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迫不及待
pò bù jí dài
Can't wait; eager
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半面之交
bàn miàn zhī jiāo
Superficial acquaintance without depth
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平易近人
píng yì jìn rén
Approachable; easy to get along with
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 依依不舍 mean in English?
依依不舍 (yī yī bù shě) literally translates to “Clinging and unwilling to part” and is used to express “Reluctant to part; lingering attachment”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 依依不舍 used?
Situation: The family said goodbye with great reluctance at the airport.
What is the pinyin for 依依不舍?
The pinyin pronunciation for 依依不舍 is “yī yī bù shě”.