# 玩物丧志

wán wù sàng zhì

Lose ambition through excessive indulgence

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Playing with things destroys one's purpose

**Traditional Chinese:** 玩物喪志

**Register:** Critical · general

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Warn that an absorbing pastime is displacing important goals.

Hobbies and rest are not inherently harmful.

## Understanding the expression

An enjoyable object or pastime becomes so absorbing that the person's larger aims fade from view. The expression warns against misplaced priorities rather than condemning pleasure itself. Gaming, collecting, or constant gadget shopping may qualify when commitments and opportunities are repeatedly neglected. A healthy hobby can support rather than destroy motivation. The sentence should therefore show excessive involvement and its cost, avoiding a blanket judgment that all recreation is irresponsible.

## Examples

他沉迷游戏，家人担心他玩物丧志。

### Traditional Chinese

他沉迷遊戲，家人擔心他玩物喪志。

tā chén mí yóu xì ， jiā rén dān xīn tā wán wù sàng zhì 。

His family fears gaming is undermining his ambitions.

收藏可以，但别玩物丧志误了工作。

### Traditional Chinese

收藏可以，但別玩物喪志誤了工作。

shōu cáng kě yǐ ， dàn bié wán wù sàng zhì wù le gōng zuò 。

Collecting is fine, but do not let it undermine work.

她安排好学习时间，避免玩物丧志。

### Traditional Chinese

她安排好學習時間，避免玩物喪志。

tā ān pái hào xué xí shí jiān ， bì miǎn wán wù sàng zhì 。

She schedules study to prevent excessive indulgence.

兴趣不是玩物丧志，失去分寸才是问题。

### Traditional Chinese

興趣不是玩物喪志，失去分寸才是問題。

xìng qù bú shì wán wù sàng zhì ， shī qù fēn cùn cái shì wèn tí 。

A hobby is not the problem; losing balance is.

## 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=%E7%8E%A9%E7%89%A9%E5%96%AA%E5%BF%97)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=497&webMd=1&la=0)

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