fèiqǐnwàngshí: 废寝忘食 - To Forget to Eat and Sleep

• Keywords: 废寝忘食, feiqinwangshi, Chinese idiom for hard work, forget to eat and sleep, so absorbed in something, engrossed, dedicated, diligent, Chinese chengyu, focused, workaholic
• Summary: Discover the Chinese idiom 废寝忘食 (fèiqǐnwàngshí), a vivid expression describing someone so engrossed in their work, studies, or passion that they literally “forget to eat and sleep.” This entry explores its cultural significance, modern usage, and provides practical examples to help you understand this powerful chengyu that praises extreme dedication and focus.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fèi qǐn wàng shí
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (四字成语), Verb Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To be so absorbed in a task that one neglects to eat and sleep.
• In a Nutshell: 废寝忘食 (fèiqǐnwàngshí) is an idiom that paints a picture of ultimate focus. It describes a state where a person is so completely immersed in an activity—be it studying for an exam, working on a project, or pursuing a hobby—that basic bodily needs like sleeping and eating are completely forgotten. It's the Chinese equivalent of being “in the zone,” but with a stronger emphasis on self-sacrifice for a goal.

• 废 (fèi): To abandon, discard, or neglect.
• 寝 (qǐn): To sleep; a formal term for one's resting place or bedroom.
• 忘 (wàng): To forget.
• 食 (shí): To eat; food.

These four characters literally combine to mean “Abandon sleep, forget food.” The structure is powerful and direct, creating an unforgettable image of someone who has pushed all physical needs aside in pursuit of a single-minded goal.

The idiom 废寝忘食 is deeply rooted in Chinese cultural values that prize diligence, perseverance, and the willingness to endure hardship (吃苦, chīkǔ) for a greater good. Historically, it was used to describe dedicated scholars studying for imperial exams or virtuous officials serving the state. This ideal of sacrificing personal comfort for one's duty, family, or personal achievement is a recurring theme in Chinese history and stories. Compared to the Western concept of a “workaholic,” 废寝忘食 carries a distinctly more positive connotation. While “workaholic” often implies an unhealthy obsession or an inability to switch off, 废寝忘食 is typically used as a compliment. It praises someone's passion, dedication, and strong work ethic. It suggests a noble pursuit, not an addiction. It highlights a temporary, intense period of focus on a specific, important goal, rather than a chronic, unhealthy lifestyle.

In modern China, 废寝忘食 is frequently used to describe students, professionals, and creatives.

• In Academia: It's the perfect term to describe a student preparing for the grueling national college entrance exam, the gaokao (高考).
• In Business: A boss might use it to praise an employee who showed incredible dedication to launching a new product. Entrepreneurs are often described this way during the startup phase.
• In Hobbies and Passions: It can also be used for non-work activities. A parent might say their child is 废寝忘食 playing the piano or learning to code, expressing a mixture of pride in their dedication and slight concern for their well-being.

The connotation is overwhelmingly positive, used to express admiration. However, it can sometimes be used with a gentle warning, as in “You've been working so hard you're forgetting to eat and sleep; don't ruin your health!” (你最近真是废寝忘食，但也要注意身体啊！).

• Example 1:
  • 为了准备高考，他连续三个月废寝忘食地学习。
  • Pinyin: Wèile zhǔnbèi gāokǎo, tā liánxù sān ge yuè fèiqǐnwàngshí de xuéxí.
  • English: In order to prepare for the college entrance exam, he studied for three consecutive months, forgetting to eat and sleep.
  • Analysis: A classic example showing intense, praiseworthy dedication to an important academic goal.
• Example 2:
  • 这个科学家为了完成他的研究，简直到了废寝忘食的地步。
  • Pinyin: Zhège kēxuéjiā wèile wánchéng tā de yánjiū, jiǎnzhí dàole fèiqǐnwàngshí de dìbù.
  • English: To complete his research, this scientist reached the point of forgetting to eat and sleep.
  • Analysis: The phrase “到了…的地步” (dàole…de dìbù) emphasizes the extreme extent of his dedication.
• Example 3:
  • 看到团队成员们都在废寝忘食地工作，老板深受感动。
  • Pinyin: Kàndào tuánduì chéngyuánmen dōu zài fèiqǐnwàngshí de gōngzuò, lǎobǎn shēn shòu gǎndòng.
  • English: The boss was deeply moved when he saw the team members working so hard they forgot to eat and sleep.
  • Analysis: Here, it's used to describe a group, highlighting collective effort and dedication.
• Example 4:
  • 我儿子最近迷上了编程，天天废寝忘食地坐在电脑前。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ érzi zuìjìn mí shàngle biānchéng, tiāntiān fèiqǐnwàngshí de zuò zài diànnǎo qián.
  • English: My son has become obsessed with programming recently; he sits in front of the computer every day, forgetting to eat and sleep.
  • Analysis: This shows the term's use for a passion or hobby. The tone is a mix of pride and a little worry.
• Example 5:
  • 他对这个项目废寝忘食的投入，最终获得了成功。
  • Pinyin: Tā duì zhège xiàngmù fèiqǐnwàngshí de tóurù, zuìzhōng huòdéle chénggōng.
  • English: His investment of time and energy in this project, to the point of forgetting to eat and sleep, ultimately led to success.
  • Analysis: This directly links the state of 废寝忘食 to a positive outcome.
• Example 6:
  • 你不能再这样废寝忘食了，身体会垮掉的！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng zài zhèyàng fèiqǐnwàngshí le, shēntǐ huì kuǎdiào de!
  • English: You can't keep on forgetting to eat and sleep like this, your health will collapse!
  • Analysis: An example of the idiom used in a sentence of friendly concern or warning.
• Example 7:
  • 为了赶在截止日期前完成画作，那位艺术家废寝忘食地画了好几天。
  • Pinyin: Wèile gǎn zài jiézhǐ rìqī qián wánchéng huàzuò, nà wèi yìshùjiā fèiqǐnwàngshí de huàle hǎo jǐ tiān.
  • English: In order to finish the painting before the deadline, that artist painted for several days, forgetting to eat and sleep.
  • Analysis: Shows the term being applied to creative professionals under pressure.
• Example 8:
  • 在创业初期，他们几乎每天都废寝忘食。
  • Pinyin: Zài chuàngyè chūqī, tāmen jīhū měitiān dōu fèiqǐnwàngshí.
  • English: In the early stages of starting their business, they were so absorbed in their work they forgot to eat and sleep almost every day.
  • Analysis: This highlights the “hustle culture” associated with startups.
• Example 9:
  • 这款新游戏太好玩了，让我玩得都废寝忘食了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn xīn yóuxì tài hǎowán le, ràng wǒ wán de dōu fèiqǐnwàngshí le.
  • English: This new game is so fun, it's made me play to the point of forgetting to eat and sleep.
  • Analysis: A modern, slightly more casual or even humorous application of the idiom to describe being engrossed in entertainment.
• Example 10:
  • 古代有许多学者为了著书立说而废寝忘食。
  • Pinyin: Gǔdài yǒu xǔduō xuézhě wèile zhùshūlìshuō ér fèiqǐnwàngshí.
  • English: In ancient times, there were many scholars who would forget to eat and sleep in order to write books and establish their theories.
  • Analysis: This example places the idiom in its traditional, historical context of scholarly pursuit.

• Don't use it for simple busyness: 废寝忘食 is a strong, dramatic idiom. It's not appropriate for describing a regular busy day where you had a late lunch. It implies a prolonged period of intense, single-minded focus.
  • Incorrect: 我今天会太多了，简直是废寝忘食。(Wǒ jīntiān huì tài duō le, jiǎnzhí shì fèiqǐnwàngshí.) → (I had too many meetings today, I practically forgot to eat and sleep.) This is an exaggeration and sounds unnatural.
• It's about absorption, not just staying up late: The key difference between 废寝忘食 and a term like 开夜车 (kāi yèchē, “to pull an all-nighter”) is the state of mind. 开夜车 is a conscious decision to sacrifice sleep for work. 废寝忘食 describes a mental state where you are so absorbed you don't even notice you're hungry or tired. The neglect of food and sleep is an unconscious byproduct of your deep focus.

• 专心致志 (zhuānxīnzhìzhì) - To concentrate one's mind and will on something. A close synonym that focuses more on the mental state of concentration itself.
• 夜以继日 (yèyǐjìrì) - To continue from night into day; to work around the clock. Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the non-stop duration of the work.
• 埋头苦干 (máitóukǔgàn) - To bury one's head and work hard. A related concept that describes quiet, diligent work without seeking attention.
• 废寝忘餐 (fèiqǐnwàngcān) - An almost identical variant of 废寝忘食, using 餐 (cān, meal) instead of 食 (shí, food). They are completely interchangeable.
• 兢兢业业 (jīngjīngyèyè) - Cautious, conscientious, and dedicated. Describes the attitude of a diligent worker, while 废寝忘食 describes their state of being during intense work.
• 开夜车 (kāi yèchē) - To “drive a night car”; a colloquial term for pulling an all-nighter to cram or meet a deadline. More specific to sacrificing one night's sleep.
• 三心二意 (sānxīnyèryì) - To be of two minds; distracted and unable to focus. A direct antonym.
• 心不在焉 (xīnbùzàiyān) - Absent-minded; the mind is elsewhere. An antonym describing a lack of focus.