爱不释手

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: ài bù shì shǒu
• English Translation: To love something so much one cannot bear to part with it
• Idiom Composition: 「爱」（To love or be very fond of）＋「不」（Not (negation)）＋「释」（To release, let go, or set down）＋「手」（Hand）
• Meaning: To be so fond of an object that one cannot bear to let go of it or put it down. It describes a state of deep attachment or fascination, usually toward a tangible item.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「爱不释手」 contains the following nuances:

• Focus on Tangible Objects: This idiom is primarily used for physical items that can be held in the hand (books, gadgets, crafts). It is rarely used for abstract concepts or people.
• The Nuance of Physical Contact: Beyond just 'liking' something, 爱不释手 (ài bù shì shǒu) implies a continuous physical interaction, such as touching, holding, or using the object repeatedly.

3. Usage

「爱不释手」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Gifts and New Possessions: Used when someone receives a gift or buys a new product and is so delighted that they use it or look at it constantly.
  • Example:「他对这部新手机爱不释手，整天都在研究它的功能。」
    （He couldn't put down his new smartphone and spent the whole day exploring its features.）
• Appreciating Art or Literature: Used as a compliment for high-quality craftsmanship, beautiful antiques, or captivating books that one wants to keep close.
  • Example:「这件精美的瓷器让人爱不释手，反复把玩。」
    （This exquisite porcelain is so beautiful that people cannot bear to part with it, admiring it over and over again.）

Additional Examples:

1. 爷爷拿着那个古董烟斗，爱不释手。
   （Grandfather held that antique pipe, unable to take his hands off it.）
2. 这本书写得太精彩了，真让我爱不释手，一口气读完了。
   （This book was so brilliantly written that I couldn't put it down and finished it in one sitting.）
3. 孩子们对这些新玩具爱不释手。
   （The children are absolutely obsessed with these new toys.）
4. 看到这块温润的玉石，收藏家爱不释手。
   （Upon seeing this smooth and beautiful jade, the collector couldn't bear to let it go.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The idiom originates from the Preface to the Collected Works of Tao Yuanming (陶渊明集序) written by Xiao Tong (萧统) during the Liang Dynasty. He used it to describe his deep admiration for the literature of Tao Yuanming (陶渊明), stating he loved the writing so much he 'could not release it from his hands.'
• In Chinese culture, this phrase is closely linked to the concept of 把玩 (bǎ wán), which refers to the scholarly tradition of holding and appreciating small antiques, inkstones, or jade pieces to enjoy their texture and craftsmanship.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 手不释卷 (shǒu bù shì juàn): Literally 'never letting the book out of one's hand'; used to describe someone who is extremely studious or loves reading.
  • 爱不忍释 (ài bù rěn shì): To love something so much one cannot bear to let it go; a direct synonym of 爱不释手 (ài bù shì shǒu).
  • 如醉如痴 (rú zuì rú chī): To be enchanted or infatuated, as if drunk or obsessed.link
  • 念念不忘 (niàn niàn bù wàng): To keep something in mind constantly.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 弃如敝屣 (qì rú bì xǐ): To cast something away like a worn-out shoe; to discard something without the slightest regret.
  • 不屑一顾 (bù xiè yī gù): To not deign to even give a single glance; to regard something as beneath one's notice.link
  • 喜新厌旧 (xǐ xīn yàn jiù): To like the new and dislike the old.link

6. Summary

爱不释手 (ài bù shì shǒu) is a common idiom used to describe a person's intense liking for something they can hold, such as a book, a new gadget, or a piece of jewelry. Unlike general words for 'liking,' this phrase emphasizes the physical act of holding or keeping the item close because it brings so much joy.