求之不得

qiúzhībùdé

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 qiúzhībùdé 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 qiúzhībùdé 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 dé