Chinese word

依依不舍

Pronunciation

Pinyinyī yī bù shě

Meaning

  • idiomreluctant to part

Example

分别时大家都显得依依不舍。fēn bié shí dà jiā dōu xiǎn de yī yī bù shě

When it was time to part, everyone looked reluctant to leave.

Illustration for 依依不舍 (reluctant to part)

More examples

母亲看到孩子离开，依依不舍地挥手告别。mǔ qīn kàn dào hái zi lí kāi yī yī bù shě dì huī shǒu gào bié

Seeing her child leave, the mother waved goodbye reluctantly.

Core concept

A strong emotional pull keeps someone lingering when a familiar bond, place, or thing must be left behind.

Common phrases

  • 依依不舍地告别yī yī bù shě dì gào bié

    say goodbye reluctantly

  • 显得依依不舍xiǎn de yī yī bù shě

    appear reluctant to part

  • 依依不舍的目光yī yī bù shě de mù guāng

    a wistful gaze

Similar words

难舍难分nán shě nán fēn: Deep mutual attachment makes two people find it hard to part from each other.

Definition in Chinese

在送别或离开熟悉的人、地方或事物时，内心感到强烈留恋，不愿放手或马上分开。zài sòng bié huò lí kāi shú xī de rén dì fāng huò shì wù shí nèi xīn gǎn dào qiáng liè liú liàn bú yuàn fàng shǒu huò mǎ shàng fēn kāi

Word origin

依依不舍 (yīyībùshě, "reluctant to part") joins 依依 (yīyī, "lingering attachment") and 不舍 (bùshě, "not willing to let go"), creating a vivid picture of someone lingering at a farewell.

Usage tips

  • The idiom works naturally for a group as well as an individual, so a farewell scene can show shared attachment rather than one person's private feeling.

Opposites

  • 毫不留恋háo bù liú liànfeel no attachmentidiom

Related words

Word lists with this word