📖 Meaning
So happy that one forgets to go home. It describes being so deeply immersed in an enjoyable situation that one is reluctant to leave.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the 'Records of the Grand Historian' (史记·秦本纪), describing Zao Fu (造父), a legendary charioteer skilled in driving horses who served King Mu of Zhou (周缪王). When King Mu went on a western inspection tour, he was so delighted by the journey that he forgot to return.
💡 Example Usage
桂林山水甲天下，游人到此无不乐而忘返。
The scenery of Guilin is the finest under heaven; every traveler who arrives here is so enchanted they forget to go home.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 乐而忘返
- Pinyin: lè ér wàng fǎn
- Literal Translation: happy, and, forget, return
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4