# 流连忘返

liú lián wàng fǎn

Linger with such enjoyment that one forgets to leave

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Linger and forget to return

**Traditional Chinese:** 流連忘返

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe absorbing places or experiences that invite staying.

Does not imply literally losing one’s memory.

## Understanding the expression

The person keeps lingering because leaving would interrupt an enjoyable experience. Forgetting to return is an expressive way to show how completely a place holds attention. Scenic walks, exhibitions, bookshops, and lively gatherings can all inspire the feeling. The phrase generally praises the attraction of the experience, rather than criticizing lateness. It works best when there is a concrete reason to stay, not merely when someone has no destination or misses a bus.

## Examples

湖边的晚霞让人流连忘返。

### Traditional Chinese

湖邊的晚霞讓人流連忘返。

hú biān de wǎn xiá ràng rén liú lián wàng fǎn 。

The sunset beside the lake makes people reluctant to leave.

她在旧书店里流连忘返。

### Traditional Chinese

她在舊書店裡流連忘返。

tā zài jiù shū diàn lǐ liú lián wàng fǎn 。

She lingered happily in the secondhand bookshop.

这场展览让游客流连忘返。

### Traditional Chinese

這場展覽讓遊客流連忘返。

zhè chǎng zhǎn lǎn ràng yóu kè liú lián wàng fǎn 。

The exhibition captivated visitors and kept them lingering.

孩子们在科学馆流连忘返。

### Traditional Chinese

孩子們在科學館流連忘返。

hái zi men zài kē xué guǎn liú lián wàng fǎn 。

The children were so absorbed in the science museum that they did not want to leave.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%B5%81%E9%80%A3%E5%BF%98%E8%BF%94)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=711&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [满腹经纶 mǎn fù jīng lún Possess extensive learning and practical wisdom ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/man-fu-jing-lun)

- [盲人摸象 máng rén mō xiàng Mistake a partial view for the whole ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/mang-ren-mo-xiang)

- [茅塞顿开 máo sè dùn kāi Suddenly break through confusion ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/mao-se-dun-kai)

- [美不胜收 měi bù shèng shōu So beautiful and abundant that one cannot take it all in ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/mei-bu-sheng-shou)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 流芳百世 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/liu-fang-bai-shi) [Next idiom 流言蜚语 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/liu-yan-fei-yu)