每天成语
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不亦乐乎

*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.

1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: bù yì lè hū
  • English Translation: Is it not a joy? (To do something to the extreme)
  • Idiom Composition: 「不」（Not (part of a rhetorical 'is it not' structure).）＋「亦」（Also or indeed (used here for emphasis).）＋「乐」（Joyful or happy (pronounced 'lè' in modern usage, but 'yuè' in classical recitation).）＋「乎」（A classical grammatical particle used for questions or exclamations.）
  • Meaning: Originally a rhetorical question from the Analects (论语) meaning 'Isn't it delightful?' In modern Chinese, it is primarily used as a degree complement in the structure 'Verb + 得 (de) + 不亦乐乎' to describe an action or state that has reached an extreme level, such as being intensely busy, deeply engrossed, or highly excited.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「不亦乐乎」 contains the following nuances:

  • Modern Usage as a Degree Complement: In contemporary conversation, this phrase functions as a complement to show that an action is performed to the utmost degree. It is often translated as 'to one's heart's content' or 'frantically,' depending on whether the activity is leisure or work.
  • Rhetorical Emphasis in Classical Chinese: In its original classical form, the phrase uses a double negative/rhetorical structure to emphasize that something is 'truly and immensely' delightful.

3. Usage

「不亦乐乎」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Emphasizing Intensity or Busyness: Used after verbs like 忙 (máng, to be busy) to indicate that someone is overwhelmed or frantically occupied. In this context, the original meaning of 'joy' is often absent.
    • Example:「为了准备搬家，全家人这两天忙得不亦乐乎。」
      （To prepare for the move, the whole family has been extremely busy these past few days.）
  • Emphasizing Immersion or Excitement: Used after verbs like 玩 (wán, to play) or 聊 (liáo, to chat) to show that people are deeply engrossed or having a wonderful time.
    • Example:「孩子们在公园里玩得不亦乐乎，都不想回家了。」
      （The children are having such a great time playing in the park that they don't even want to go home.）

Additional Examples:

  1. 大家在聚会上聊得不亦乐乎。
    （Everyone at the party was deeply engrossed in conversation.）
  2. 商场打折期间，顾客们买得不亦乐乎。
    （During the department store sale, customers were caught up in a shopping frenzy.）
  3. 两只小狗在草地上追逐打闹，玩得不亦乐乎。
    （Two puppies are chasing each other on the grass, having the time of their lives.）
  4. 虽然工作很累，但他干得不亦乐乎。
    （Although the work is tiring, he is working with great gusto.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • Semantic Evolution: In modern Chinese, the phrase has shifted from its original meaning of 'pure joy' to a more general emphasis on 'extreme degree.' Consequently, it can be used in neutral or even slightly stressful contexts, such as being frantically busy.
  • Pronunciation Nuance: When used in the modern idiom 忙得不亦乐乎 (máng de bù yì lè hū), the character 乐 is pronounced 'lè' (joy). However, when scholars recite the original text of the Analects (论语), they often use the classical pronunciation 'yuè' (to take pleasure in).
  • Source: This idiom comes from the opening chapter of the Analects (论语), titled 'Xue Er' (学而). The full famous quote is: '有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？' (Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?), reflecting the values of Confucius (孔子) regarding friendship and the pursuit of knowledge.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

While 不亦乐乎 (bù yì lè hū) originates from the classical teachings of Confucius (孔子), its modern application has evolved into a vivid way to describe intensity. By using the 'Verb + 得 (de) + 不亦乐乎' pattern, speakers can express that someone is 'in the thick of' an activity or 'completely swept up' in a task. It is a sophisticated way to emphasize that a situation has reached its peak intensity, whether that situation is joyful, busy, or even chaotic.

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