📖 Meaning
To be so fond of reading that one always has a book in hand and cannot bear to put it down. It describes someone who is an avid and diligent reader, constantly studying or reading.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the story of Sun Quan, the founding emperor of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. Sun Quan urged his general Lü Meng to read books of strategy and history. Lü Meng initially excused himself, citing military duties, but Sun Quan replied that he himself read constantly — '手不释卷' — despite his heavy responsibilities. Moved by this, Lü Meng devoted himself to study and became one of the most capable strategists of his era.
💡 Example Usage
他从小酷爱读书，简直是手不释卷，连吃饭的时候都要看几页。
He has loved reading since childhood and is truly never seen without a book — he even reads a few pages during meals.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 手不释卷
- Pinyin: shǒu bù shì juàn
- Literal Translation: hand, not, release, scroll
- Category: Learning
- Characters: 4