📖 Meaning
To long cherish admiration for someone in one's heart. It metaphorically describes a deep, earnest yearning or longing for a person one deeply respects. The phrase conveys sustained, heartfelt reverence rather than fleeting interest.
📜 Origin Story
During the Western Han dynasty, Sima Xiangru, originally named Sima Changqing, studied diligently and came to deeply admire Lin Xiangru, a celebrated statesman of the State of Zhao during the Warring States period, who was renowned for his courage and wisdom in confronting the powerful State of Qin. So great was his reverence that he changed his own name to 'Xiangru' in honor of his idol. This story is recorded in the 'Biography of Sima Xiangru' in Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji). The idiom later came to signify cherishing a long-held admiration for someone.
💡 Example Usage
他久怀慕蔺之心，终得拜见这位文坛宗师。
Having long cherished admiration for him, he finally had the honor of calling on this literary master.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 久怀慕蔺
- Pinyin: jiǔ huái mù lìn
- Literal Translation: long, harbor, admire, Lin (Xiangru)
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4