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求之不得 (qiú zhī bù dé) — to be just what one wishes for; a dream come true; to be most welcome; to be happy to accept

Definition

Classical idiom meaning 'exactly what one has been hoping for' — used to express delight at receiving something long desired or offered. Often functions as a polite, enthusiastic acceptance.

idiom
to be just what one wishes fora dream come trueto be most welcometo be happy to accept

Examples

  • 求之不得。
    Zhè ge gōng zuò jī huì duì wǒ lái shuō zhēn shì qiú zhī bù dé.
    This job opportunity is truly a dream come true for me.
  • ，求之不得。
    Nǐ néng lái bāng máng, wǒ qiú zhī bù dé.
    I couldn't ask for more that you can come and help.
  • ，求之不得。
    Tā yāo qǐng wǒ yì qǐ qù lǚ xíng, wǒ qiú zhī bù dé.
    He invited me to travel together, and I couldn't be happier.

Origin

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

求 began as a drawing of a centipede.

Open 求 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Open 之 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The picture in 不 originally showed a flower’s calyx; the “no” sense came later from a related character, not from this picture.

Open 不 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The old form 㝵 showed a hand picking up a cowry, meaning to obtain; later changes turned that picture into 得.

Open 得 →
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Idioms & Set Phrases

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