废寝忘食

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: fèi qǐn wàng shí
• English Translation: To forget sleep and food; to be so absorbed in something that one neglects basic needs
• Idiom Composition: 「废」（To abandon, to neglect）＋「寝」（Sleep）＋「忘」（To forget）＋「食」（Food, eating）
• Meaning: Describes being so absorbed in something that one forgets to sleep and eat.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「废寝忘食」 contains the following nuances:

• Extreme concentration: Expresses being so focused on something that nothing else is noticed.
• Loss of time awareness: Indicates being so engaged in an activity that one loses track of time.
• Self-sacrifice: Represents a strong will to work on something even at the expense of basic needs like sleep and food.
• Praise: Often used to praise someone's effort and enthusiasm.

3. Usage

「废寝忘食」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Describing effort: Used to describe someone working hard towards a goal.
  • Example:「他为了完成这个项目，已经废寝忘食好几天了。」
    （He has been forgetting sleep and food for several days to complete this project.）
• Expressing enthusiasm: Expresses that someone is passionately engaged in something.
  • Example:「这位科学家对研究工作废寝忘食，取得了重大突破。」
    （This scientist was so absorbed in research that he forgot sleep and food, achieving a major breakthrough.）
• Studying diligently: Can describe students who are diligently studying for exams.
  • Example:「学生们在考试前夜废寝忘食地复习，希望能取得好成绩。」
    （The students forgot sleep and food while reviewing the night before the exam, hoping to get good results.）

Additional Examples:

1. 她对绘画的热爱到了废寝忘食的地步，常常画到深夜。
   （Her love for painting is so intense that she often forgets sleep and food and paints late into the night.）
2. 他为了准备演讲，废寝忘食地查阅资料，最终赢得了观众的喝彩。
   （He forgot sleep and food while preparing for his speech and ultimately won the audience's applause.）
3. 为了攻克这个技术难题，工程师们废寝忘食地工作。
   （To overcome this technical challenge, the engineers forgot sleep and food and worked tirelessly.）
4. 小说家废寝忘食地写作，终于完成了他的巨著。
   （The novelist forgot sleep and food while writing and finally completed his masterpiece.）
5. 为了按时完成订单，工人们废寝忘食地加班加点。
   （To complete the orders on time, the workers forgot sleep and food and worked overtime.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Virtue of diligence: In traditional Chinese culture, diligence is considered a highly valued virtue. The idiom '废寝忘食' reflects this value and is often used to praise the attitude of working hard towards a goal.
• Health considerations: However, '废寝忘食' can also carry a cautionary meaning about excessive absorption to the point of harming one's health. While effort is important, attention to health management is necessary.
• Usage context: This idiom is somewhat exaggerated and is more commonly used in writing or speeches rather than everyday conversation.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 夜以继日 (yè yǐ jì rì): To work continuously day and night without rest.
  • 孜孜不倦 (zī zī bú juàn): To work diligently and tirelessly.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 游手好闲 (yóu shǒu hǎo xián): To be idle and lazy.
  • 无所事事 (wú suǒ shì shì): Having nothing to do; being idle.

6. Summary

'废寝忘食' is a powerful idiom that vividly expresses the image of someone working hard and devotedly towards a goal. Understanding the value of diligence in Chinese culture and using this idiom appropriately can enrich your Chinese expression. However, be cautious of excessive absorption that may harm your health. Use this idiom while maintaining a healthy balance.