求之不得

qiúzhī-bùdé

idiom #15,179

Meanings

1 exactly what one has been looking for
2 something one could only dream of getting

Characters

to seek; to request

it (classical pronoun)

to obtain; to get

Examples

这个机会求之不得啊！

Zhège jīhuì qiúzhī-bùdé a!

This opportunity is exactly what I've been looking for!

能跟你合作是我求之不得的事。

Néng gēn nǐ hézuò shì wǒ qiúzhī-bùdé de shì.

Being able to work with you is something I could only dream of.

Tips

history

Originates from the Book of Songs (诗经): 求之不得，寤寐思服 - 'I sought but could not get her, waking and sleeping I longed for her.' Originally about unrequited love, now used positively to mean something highly desirable.

Stroke Order

求 qiú

之 zhī

不 bù

得 de