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爱不释手 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
爱不释手àibúshìshǒuto love sth too much to part with it (idiom); to fondle admiringlyHSK 7, i, 30 strokes, rank #28804, Very Hard
àibúshìshǒu(ai4bu2shi4shou3)ai bu shi shou T4
  1. 1to love sth too much to part with it (idiom); to fondle admiringly
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March 24, 2026

爱不释手(愛不釋手)àibúshìshǒu(ai4bu2shi4shou3)

The idiom '爱不释手' describes a deep affection for an object or person, to the extent that one is reluctant to let go of it. It is often used to express a strong attachment to things like books, gifts, or even hobbies, indicating that one enjoys them so much they want to keep them close.

Strokes30Frequency#28804DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, showing a deep attachment to objects, such as books or gifts from loved ones, is often seen as a virtue, reflecting one’s values and relationships. This idiom encapsulates the importance of emotional ties to possessions.

Memory tip

Imagine holding a beloved book in your hands, unable to put it down because you love it so much. The characters '爱' (love) and '手' (hand) remind you of fondling something precious that you can’t bear to part with.

Meanings of 爱不释手

àibúshìshǒu(ai4bu2shi4shou3)
1to love sth too much to part with it (idiom); to fondle admiringly
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About 爱不释手

爱不释手Simplified
愛不釋手Traditional
30Strokes
—Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#28804Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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AI Study Notes for 爱不释手

Usage Notes

This idiom is typically used in informal contexts when expressing fondness. A common mistake is to use it for transient feelings; however, it should imply a lasting attachment. Pay attention to the tone of '爱' (ai4) being the first tone and '释' (shi4) being the fourth tone.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 idiom, '爱不释手' connects well with other emotional expressions and idioms learned at this level. Students should focus on understanding idioms and their usages in context, as well as practicing them in conversation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse the meaning of '爱不释手' with a temporary liking, using it in contexts where something is only briefly enjoyed. For example, saying '我今天爱不释手这件衣服' (I can’t part with this piece of clothing today) implies a fleeting affection, which is incorrect. It should express a lasting, deeper attachment.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 爱不释手

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Idiom Spotlight: 爱不释手

Chengyu origin story
Literal meaning:love not release hand

Component Characters

爱àito love
HSK 110 strokes爫
View full entry
不bù(negative prefix)
HSK 14 strokes一
View full entry
释shìto explain
HSK 512 strokes釆
View full entry
手shǒuhand
HSK 24 strokes手
View full entry

How to say to love sth too much to part with it (idiom); to fondle admiringly in Chinese

“to love sth too much to part with it (idiom); to fondle admiringly” in Chinese is爱不释手àibúshìshǒu

The idiom '爱不释手' describes a deep affection for an object or person, to the extent that one is reluctant to let go of it. It is often used to express a strong attachment to things like books, gifts, or even hobbies, indicating that one enjoys them so much they want to keep them close.

When to use 爱不释手

This idiom is typically used in informal contexts when expressing fondness. A common mistake is to use it for transient feelings; however, it should imply a lasting attachment. Pay attention to the tone of '爱' (ai4) being the first tone and '释' (shi4) being the fourth tone.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse the meaning of '爱不释手' with a temporary liking, using it in contexts where something is only briefly enjoyed. For example, saying '我今天爱不释手这件衣服' (I can’t part with this piece of clothing today) implies a fleeting affection, which is incorrect. It should express a lasting, deeper attachment.

Write 爱不释手

爱
不
释
手

Practice writing 爱不释手 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 爱不释手

爱不释手 functions as a four-character idiom (成语). Treat it as a fixed unit; it usually plays the role of a single adjective, adverb, or noun phrase inside the larger sentence. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 3

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

一本好书会使我____.

I can always lose myself in a good book.

Example Sentences for 爱不释手 (2)

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1
一本好书会使我爱不释手.

yī běn hǎo shū huì shǐ wǒ ài bù shì shǒu.

I can always lose myself in a good book.
2
这些令人毛骨悚然的女主人公使哈特的书读起来让人爱不释手。

zhè xiē líng rén máo gǔ sǒng rán de nǚ zhǔ rén gōng shǐ hā tè de shū dú qǐ lái ràng rén ài bù shì shǒu。

These chilling heroines make Hart's books compulsive reading.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 爱不释手

Yes, you can use '爱不释手' for people, but it is more commonly used for objects or experiences.

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