CHENGYU
乐不思蜀(lè bù sī shǔ)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- literary, often ironic
- Source:
- 《三国志·蜀书·后主传》注引《汉晋春秋》
MEANING
- Literal
- so happy one forgets Shu
- Figurative meaning
- to have so much fun one forgets home and duties
ORIGIN STORY
After the fall of Shu, its last emperor Liu Shan was kept in the capital of the victor Wei. Asked whether he missed his homeland, he replied: "I am so happy here that I do not think of Shu."
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“to forget home in all the fun”
EXAMPLES
他在北京玩得乐不思蜀，都不想回家了。Tā zài Běijīng wán de lè bù sī shǔ, dōu bù xiǎng huí jiā le.HSK6
He is having so much fun in Beijing he has forgotten home entirely.
孩子在外婆家乐不思蜀，不肯回来。Háizi zài wàipó jiā lè bù sī shǔ, bù kěn huílái.HSK6
The child is so happy at grandma's that she refuses to come back.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: Often used lightly about enjoying oneself, sometimes with a hint of criticism for forgetting one's place.
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01