indulge in hobbies and lose ambition; ruin oneself by trifling
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to lose one's ambition or will because of indulgence in hobbies or pleasures; to bury one's talents in trifles
formalA classic chengyu with a negative connotation. It warns against spending excessive time on hobbies, games, or trivial pursuits at the expense of serious work, study, or career goals. Often used as cautionary advice to students or young people.
Nián年
qīng轻
rén人
qiē切
bù不
kě可
wán玩
wù物
sàng丧
zhì志
，
xū虚
dù度
guāng光
yīn阴
。
Young people must never indulge in trifles and lose their ambition, wasting their precious time.
Tā他
suī虽
rán然
xǐ喜
huān欢
shōu收
cáng藏
gǔ古
dǒng董
，
dàn但
cóng从
bù不
wán玩
wù物
sàng丧
zhì志
，
yī依
rán然
zhuān专
xīn心
shì事
yè业
。
Although he enjoys collecting antiques, he never lets it ruin his ambition and remains dedicated to his career.
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Wán玩
yóu游
xì戏
kě可
yǐ以
，
dàn但
bù不
yào要
wán玩
wù物
sàng丧
zhì志
，
wàng忘
le了
zhèng正
shì事
。
It is okay to play games, but don't let them consume you and make you forget your proper duties.