不亦樂乎

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Chinese

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is it not also
music; happy; laugh
music; happy; laugh; cheerful
 
(interrog. part.)
trad. (不亦樂乎) 不亦
simp. (不亦乐乎) 不亦
Literally: “is it not a joy?”.

Etymology

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From the Analects (《論語·學而》):

遠方不亦樂乎 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
远方不亦乐乎 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Yǒu péng zì yuǎnfāng lái, bù yì lè hū? [Pinyin]
Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters?

Pronunciation

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Idiom

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不亦樂乎

  1. (original meaning) Isn't it a pleasure (to ...)?
  2. (modifies an adjective or verb) to a great extent; extremely; very; awfully
    不亦樂乎 [MSC, trad.]
    不亦乐乎 [MSC, simp.]
    wánr dé bùyìlèhū [Pinyin]
    to have lots of fun when playing
    不亦樂乎不亦乐乎  ―  máng dé bùyìlèhū  ―  to be awfully busy