📖 Meaning
One's affection and goodwill toward another person have been expressed to their fullest extent. It describes a situation where sincerity, care, and earnest feeling cannot possibly be given more completely.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces to the Tang dynasty scholar Kong Yingda, who wrote a sub-commentary (疏) on the Classic of Poetry (Shi Jing), specifically on the ode 'Ban' in the 'Da Ya' (Greater Odes) section. In explaining the poem, Kong Yingda portrays an old man earnestly admonishing his listeners with words so sincere that his feelings reach the utmost and his intentions are fully poured out. The line runs: 'I, an old man, instruct and admonish you, my intention being earnest and sincere, my affection at its utmost and intent fully spent — yet why do you remain uncomprehending?' From this image of heartfelt, exhausted counsel the idiom was distilled.
💡 Example Usage
他对朋友的帮助已是情至意尽，再无可求了。
He has already helped his friend to the fullest extent of his affection and sincerity—there is nothing more one could ask of him.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 情至意尽
- Pinyin: qíng zhì yì jìn
- Literal Translation: feeling, reaches the utmost, intention, is exhausted
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4