不亦乐乎

• Pinyin: bù yì lè hū
• Hanzi breakdown: 不亦...乎 = classical rhetorical question structure meaning 'isn't it...?'; 乐 = joy/happy

Meaning

Extremely; to one's heart's content; having a great time doing something.

Originally from Confucius, now used colloquially to describe doing something with great enthusiasm or to an extreme degree. Can be positive (having fun) or negative (overdoing something). Often follows verbs to indicate intensity.

Examples

1. 孩子们在海边玩得不亦乐乎，都不想回家。 The children had such a great time at the beach that they didn't want to go home.
2. 双十一促销，商家们忙得不亦乐乎。 During the Singles' Day sales, merchants were incredibly busy.
3. 他们俩为这点小事吵得不亦乐乎。 The two of them argued to no end over this little matter.

Usage Guide

Context: enthusiasm, intensity, colloquial

Tone: vivid

Do Say

• 大家聊得不亦乐乎。(Everyone chatted away happily.)
• 他们打游戏打得不亦乐乎。(They were having a blast playing video games.)

Don't Say

• 这本书写得不亦乐乎。(The phrase modifies actions done by people, not qualities of objects)

Origin & History

From the Analerta of Confucius: 学而时习之，不亦说乎？有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？ Originally meaning 'Isn't this joyful?'

Cultural Context

Era: Classical origin, modern colloquial usage

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal