Chinese word

爱不释手

Pronunciation

Pinyinài bù shì shǒu

Meaning

  • idiomcan't put down

Example

她的新手机让她爱不释手。tā de xīn shǒu jī ràng tā ài bú shì shǒu

Her new phone keeps her from putting it down.

Illustration for 爱不释手 (can't put down)

More examples

这本新小说让读者爱不释手。zhè běn xīn xiǎo shuō ràng dú zhě ài bú shì shǒu

This new novel is impossible for readers to put down.

Core concept

An object becomes so absorbing or treasured that putting it down feels impossible.

Common phrases

  • 令人爱不释手lìng rén ài bú shì shǒu

    impossible to put down

  • 爱不释手的礼物ài bú shì shǒu de lǐ wù

    a gift one can't put down

  • 对新手机爱不释手duì xīn shǒu jī ài bú shì shǒu

    can't put down a new phone

Similar words

恋恋不舍liàn liàn bù shě: Feeling reluctant to part with someone or something because the separation feels deeply regrettable.
依依不舍yī yī bù shě: Feeling emotionally drawn to someone or something and finding it hard to leave at parting.
难舍难分nán shě nán fēn: Being so closely attached to each other that separating or saying goodbye is difficult.

Definition in Chinese

对物品或新得到的东西非常喜欢，以至于舍不得放手或放下。duì wù pǐn huò xīn dé dào de dōng xī fēi cháng xǐ huān yǐ zhì yú shě bu de fàng shǒu huò fàng xià

Word origin

爱 (ài, "love") + 不 (bù, "not") + 释 (shì, "release") + 手 (shǒu, "hand") gives the idiom a vivid picture of loving something so much that the hands do not let it go.

Usage tips

  • The English phrase "can't put down" often suggests an engrossing book, while this Chinese idiom applies more broadly to a favored possession such as a gadget or toy.

Other meanings

  • can't bear to part withidiom

Opposites

  • 不屑一顾bú xiè yí gùdismiss with contemptidiom
  • 视若无睹shì ruò wú dǔturn a blind eyeidiom

Word lists with this word