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合不拢嘴

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

1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: hé bù lǒng zuǐ
  • English Translation: Grinning from ear to ear / Unable to stop smiling
  • Idiom Composition: 「合」（To close or join together）＋「不」（Not (used here to indicate the inability to perform an action)）＋「拢」（To bring together or close up）＋「嘴」（Mouth）
  • Meaning: A vivid description of someone who is so happy or amused that they cannot close their mouth, resulting in a wide, persistent grin.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「合不拢嘴」 contains the following nuances:

  • Visual Imagery of Joy: This idiom goes beyond just saying someone is 'happy.' It describes the physical state of a mouth staying open because the person is smiling so broadly, making the emotion feel more vivid and intense.
  • Exclusively Positive Context: This phrase is strictly used for positive emotions like happiness, amusement, or satisfaction. It is not used for shock or horror, even though those emotions might also cause one's mouth to hang open.
  • Grammatical Structure: It is most commonly used as a complement of degree, following the particle 得 (de). For example: 高兴得 (gāoxìng de) or 笑得 (xiào de) followed by 合不拢嘴 (hé bù lǒng zuǐ).

3. Usage

「合不拢嘴」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Joyful Events: Used to describe a reaction to major positive life events such as a promotion, passing an exam, or the birth of a child.
    • Example:「听到儿子考上名牌大学的消息，妈妈高兴得合不拢嘴。」
      （Hearing the news that her son was admitted to a prestigious university, the mother was grinning from ear to ear.）
  • Funny Situations: Used when someone is laughing uncontrollably at a joke, a comedy performance, or a funny story.
    • Example:「相声演员的精彩表演逗得观众们笑得合不拢嘴。」
      （The cross-talk performers' brilliant act had the audience unable to stop laughing.）
  • Satisfaction and Success: Used when someone achieves a goal or gains a benefit, leading to a look of pure satisfaction.
    • Example:「看着丰收的果实，老农乐得合不拢嘴。」
      （Looking at the bountiful harvest, the old farmer was beaming with joy.）

Additional Examples:

  1. 全家人围坐在一起吃团圆饭，爷爷乐得合不拢嘴。
    （As the whole family sat around the table for the reunion dinner, Grandpa was all smiles the entire time.）
  2. 拿到年终奖金后，同事们个个都笑得合不拢嘴。
    （After receiving their year-end bonuses, the colleagues were all grinning from ear to ear.）
  3. 这孩子太可爱了，把大家都逗得合不拢嘴。
    （This child is so adorable that he has everyone smiling uncontrollably.）
  4. 虽然工作很累，但看到顾客满意的笑容，他也高兴得合不拢嘴。
    （Although the work was tiring, seeing the customers' satisfied smiles made him beam with happiness.）
  5. 听到大家的夸奖，小李羞涩又高兴，笑得合不拢嘴。
    （Hearing everyone's praise, Xiao Li felt shy but happy, and he couldn't stop grinning.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • This is a highly colloquial expression. While it is perfect for daily conversation, storytelling, and informal writing, it is generally avoided in formal academic or official documents.
  • The idiom is frequently paired with the character 乐 (lè), which means 'joy' or 'to laugh,' in the specific phrase 乐得合不拢嘴 (lè de hé bù lǒng zuǐ). In Chinese culture, 乐 (lè) represents an outward expression of internal happiness.
  • While English speakers might use 'grinning from ear to ear' or 'beaming,' the Chinese phrase focuses on the 'uncontrollable' nature of the joy—the idea that you are trying to close your mouth but simply cannot because you are so happy.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

合不拢嘴 (hé bù lǒng zuǐ) is a common colloquial expression used to describe a state of extreme joy or amusement. It literally means 'cannot close one's mouth,' depicting a wide, uncontrollable smile. It is typically used as a complement to verbs like 高兴 (gāoxìng - happy) or 笑 (xiào - laugh) to emphasize that a person's happiness is so great it is physically visible.

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