chī吃eathē喝drinkwán玩playlè乐enjoy
To eat, drink, and be merry; to indulge in pleasure.
Literal meaning
eat (吃) — drink (喝) — play (玩) — enjoy (乐)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing a life of leisure and enjoyment.
Examples
Tā他měi每tiān天zhǐ只zhī知dào道chī吃hē喝wán玩lè乐。
All he knows is to eat, drink, and be merry.
Wǒ我men们yīng应gāi该nǔ努lì力gōng工zuò作，ér而bù不shì是zhǐ只xiǎng想zhe着chī吃hē喝wán玩lè乐。
We should work hard, not just think about indulging in pleasure.
Usage & nuances
Often used in a negative context to describe a frivolous or irresponsible lifestyle.
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