yī依reluctantyī依reluctantbù不notshě舍willing to part
Unwilling to part; full of reluctance.
Literal meaning
reluctant (依) — reluctant (依) — not (不) — willing to part (舍)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing the feeling of not wanting to say goodbye.
Examples
lí离bié别shí时，tā他men们yī依yī依bù不shě舍de地hù互xiāng相yǒng拥bào抱。
At the time of parting, they hugged each other reluctantly.
hái孩zi子men们yī依yī依bù不shě舍de地lí离kāi开le了yóu游lè乐yuán园。
The children left the amusement park with reluctance.
Usage & nuances
Expresses a strong emotional attachment and sadness at separation.
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