依依不舍
- Literal
- clinging, clinging, not letting go
- Figurative
- To part from someone with a heavy heart, dragging out the goodbye; usually said of people parting, whereas 恋恋不舍 stresses attachment to what is left behind.
Where does 依依不舍 come from?
It does not come from a specific anecdote. 依依 describes something that sways and clings without letting go: as early as the Book of Songs it is said of willow branches, 杨柳依依, in a poem voiced by a soldier recalling the day he left, and the willow became tied to farewells in Chinese poetry. 不舍 is "cannot let go, will not leave." Together they picture someone reluctant to part. It is usually said when parting from someone, though it is also used on leaving a place one loves; the close 恋恋不舍 puts more weight on an attachment that is hard to shake off.
How is 依依不舍 used? Two examples
- 假期结束要回学校了，孩子抱着奶奶依依不舍。
Vacation was over and it was time to go back to school; the child clung to his grandma, not wanting to let go.
- 站台上，送行的家人和新兵依依不舍，火车开了还在挥手。
On the platform, the families and the new recruits could hardly bear to part, and they were still waving as the train pulled out.
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