如醉如痴

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: rú zuì rú chī
• English Translation: As if drunk or obsessed (mesmerized)
• Idiom Composition: 「如」（Like or as if）＋「醉」（Drunk or intoxicated (by alcohol or atmosphere)）＋「如」（Like or as if）＋「痴」（Obsessed, infatuated, or in a daze）
• Meaning: To be deeply captivated by something, as if intoxicated or in a trance. It describes a state of being completely spellbound by art, scenery, or passion.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「如醉如痴」 contains the following nuances:

• The Peak of Immersion: This phrase goes beyond simply 'liking' something; it refers to a state of mental absorption so deep that one becomes oblivious to their surroundings.
• A Sense of Ecstasy: As the characters 醉 (zuì) and 痴 (chī) suggest, the nuance is more emotional and sensory than rational, implying a blissful loss of self-control.

3. Usage

「如醉如痴」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Artistic Appreciation: Used to describe being profoundly moved by music, theater, or literature, to the point of forgetting oneself.
  • Example:「听众们被她美妙的歌声吸引，个个听得如醉如痴。」
    （The audience was drawn in by her beautiful singing, and everyone was mesmerized.）
• Natural Scenery: Describes a state of being speechless and fascinated when faced with a breathtaking view.
  • Example:「面对这壮丽的日落景色，游客们看得如醉如痴。」
    （Faced with this magnificent sunset, the tourists were completely spellbound.）
• Passion or Hobbies: Can be used for being infatuated with a lover or being so absorbed in a hobby or research that one forgets to eat or sleep.
  • Example:「他最近迷上了摄影，整天摆弄相机，简直到了如醉如痴的地步。」
    （He has recently become obsessed with photography, tinkering with his camera all day; he is truly lost in his passion.）

Additional Examples:

1. 这本小说情节跌宕起伏，读得我如醉如痴，完全忘记了时间。
   （This novel has such a gripping plot that I was completely entranced and lost all track of time.）
2. 台下的观众如醉如痴地欣赏着这场精彩的芭蕾舞表演。
   （The audience below the stage watched this wonderful ballet performance in a state of enchantment.）
3. 他对古典音乐的热爱已经到了如醉如痴的境界。
   （His love for classical music has already reached a level of pure intoxication.）
4. 看着孩子天真无邪的笑脸，母亲不由得如醉如痴。
   （Looking at the child's innocent smile, the mother couldn't help but be utterly captivated.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Variation: The form 如痴如醉 (rú chī rú zuì), with the characters reversed, is also extremely common and carries the exact same meaning. The choice often depends on the rhythm of the sentence.
• Origin: This phrase appears in Yuan Dynasty (元) dramas such as Autumn in the Han Palace (汉宫秋) and Pomegranate Flower (石榴花). It has long been used to describe being captivated by beauty or music.
• Nuance: While some older dictionaries might categorize it as derogatory (implying a loss of self-control), in modern Chinese, it is almost always used as a high compliment to describe the power of great art or scenery.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 神魂颠倒 (shén hún diān dǎo): To be infatuated to the point of losing one's mind (often over a person).
  • 全神贯注 (quán shén guàn zhù): To concentrate one's spirit on a single point; emphasizes focus more than ecstasy.
  • 如饥似渴 (rú jī sì kě): To be extremely eager or desirous of something.link
  • 聚精会神 (jù jīng huì shén): To concentrate one's attention and effort.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 索然无味 (suǒ rán wú wèi): Dull and tasteless; completely uninteresting.
  • 无动于衷 (wú dòng yú zhōng): Completely unmoved or indifferent; showing no emotion.
  • 无精打采 (wú jīng dǎ cǎi): To be listless or in low spirits.link
  • 不屑一顾 (bù xiè yī gù): To disdain to cast a glance; to think something not worth seeing.link

6. Summary

如醉如痴 (rú zuì rú chī) describes a state of being so enchanted by beautiful music, scenery, or a story that one loses themselves in it, as if drunk or in a daze. It is also commonly written as 如痴如醉 (rú chī rú zuì). In modern usage, it is typically a positive expression for being deeply immersed in artistic appreciation or a hobby.