手不释卷

手不釋卷

shǒubú-shìjuàn

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

HSK 5

爷爷年纪大了，还是手不释卷。

Yéye niánjì dà le, háishi shǒubú-shìjuàn.

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

HSK 7-9

他学习刻苦，整天手不释卷。

Tā xuéxí kèkǔ, zhěngtiān shǒubú-shìjuàn.

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