📖 Meaning
Describes a state of complete discouragement and loss of motivation. When someone is so disappointed that their heart turns to ashes and their spirit grows lazy, they no longer have the will to keep trying.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom first appears in Chapter 40 of Wu Cheng'en's classic Ming Dynasty novel 'Journey to the West' (《西游记》). In the story, a character laments that someone repeatedly refused to heed his advice, causing him to grow disheartened and consider parting ways. The phrase originally appeared as '意懒心灰' (the reverse order) before settling into its modern form. It captures the moment when repeated frustration or disappointment extinguishes one's inner drive.
💡 Example Usage
一次失败就心灰意懒，怎能成就大事？
How can you achieve anything great if you become disheartened and dispirited after just one failure?
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 心灰意懒
- Pinyin: xīn huī yì lǎn
- Literal Translation: heart, ashes, will, sluggish
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4