📖 Meaning
To cultivate and nurture one's temperament and emotional well-being through refined pursuits. It refers to the practice of engaging in literature, art, or other elevated activities to soothe the mind and refine one's character. Often associated with the leisurely intellectual pursuits of the literati.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase appears in Mao Dun's essay 'How to Appreciate Literary Works,' where he describes how traditional scholar-officials regarded classical poetry, lyrics, rhapsodies, songs, tales, and unofficial histories as 'miscellaneous reading.' After thoroughly studying the Confucian classics and histories, these gentlemen would read such works to 'delight the emotions and nurture the temperament' as well as to broaden their knowledge. The phrase reflects the traditional Chinese literati ideal that literary pursuits serve not merely for entertainment but for moral and spiritual cultivation.
💡 Example Usage
退休后他每日读书练字，怡情养性，日子过得十分充实。
After retiring, he reads and practices calligraphy every day to cultivate his temperament, living a very fulfilling life.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 怡情养性
- Pinyin: yí qíng yǎng xìng
- Literal Translation: delight, emotions, nurture, nature
- Category: Lifestyle
- Characters: 4