手不释卷

手不釋卷

shǒubúshìjuàn

idiom #62,215

Meanings

1 never puts the book down
2 always has a book in hand
3 a tireless reader

Characters

release / let go

Examples

爷爷年纪大了，还是手不释卷。

Yéye niánjì dà le, háishi shǒu bú shì juàn.

Grandpa is old now but still never puts his book down.

他学习刻苦，整天手不释卷。

Tā xuéxí kèkǔ, zhěng tiān shǒu bú shì juàn.

He studies diligently, book in hand all day long.

Tips

history

From 《三国志·吴书·吕蒙传》 note: Eastern Han emperor Guangwu kept reading even amid military campaigns — 光武当兵马之务，手不释卷. Later also told of Wu-kingdom general Lü Meng, whom Sun Quan urged to study despite his military duties.

Stroke Order

手 shǒu

不 bù

释 shì

卷 juǎn