依依惜别

依依惜別

yīyīxībié

idiom #90,425

Meanings

1 to part reluctantly; to say a fond farewell
2 sorrowful parting; too attached to say goodbye

Characters

to lean on; attached

to lean on; attached

to cherish; reluctant

Examples

毕业时同学们依依惜别。

Bìyè shí tóngxuémen yīyī xībié.

At graduation the classmates said a reluctant farewell.

他们在车站依依惜别。

Tāmen zài chēzhàn yīyī xībié.

They bade a lingering farewell at the station.

Tips

history

依依 appears in classical poetry (e.g. 《诗经·采薇》 '昔我往矣，杨柳依依') to describe drooping willows, which became a stock image for parting friends. The duplicated 依依 conveys reluctance and lingering affection.

Stroke Order

依 yī

惜 xī

别 bié