依依不舍
依依不舍 (yī yī bù shě) literally means “lingering reluctantly, unwilling to leave” and expresses “be reluctant 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: yi yi bu she, yi yi bu she,依依不舍 meaning, 依依不舍 in english
Be reluctant to part
Pronunciation: yī yī bù shě
Literal meaning: Lingering reluctantly, unwilling to leave
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes lingering (依依) and being unwilling (不舍) to leave. The doubled 依 emphasizes the clinging, reluctant quality of the departure. The phrase captures the hesitation when leaving something beloved. Modern usage describes reluctant partings - children leaving fun places, lovers saying goodbye, or leaving any situation one wishes could continue.
Examples
English: "The children reluctantly left the amusement park."
Chinese: 孩子们依依不舍地离开游乐园。
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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 “Lingering reluctantly, unwilling to leave” and is used to express “Be reluctant to part”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 依依不舍 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving be reluctant to part.
What is the pinyin for 依依不舍?
The pinyin pronunciation for 依依不舍 is “yī yī bù shě”.