# 跃跃欲试

yuè yuè yù shì

Be eager to give something a try

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Stir with the wish to attempt

**Traditional Chinese:** 躍躍欲試

**Register:** General · spoken & written

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

## When to use it

Describe excited readiness to participate or attempt a task.

Enthusiasm benefits from clear instructions and suitable preparation.

## The image & its use

Watching someone fold a clever paper model can make a learner eager to try it themselves. This expression describes that lively readiness before the attempt begins. It often fits a new activity, a demonstration, or a chance to use a recently learned skill. The feeling is positive, but it does not establish that the task is already understood. A brief explanation and an appropriate first step help turn enthusiasm into a satisfying experience rather than a rushed start without guidance.

## Examples

看完示范，大家都跃跃欲试。

### Traditional Chinese

看完示範，大家都躍躍欲試。

kàn wán shì fàn ， dà jiā dōu yuè yuè yù shì 。

After the demonstration, everyone was eager to try.

她刚学会几个音符，就跃跃欲试地想弹一首小曲。

### Traditional Chinese

她剛學會幾個音符，就躍躍欲試地想彈一首小曲。

tā gāng xué huì jǐ gè yīn fú ， jiù yuè yuè yù shì dì xiǎng tán yì shǒu xiǎo qǔ 。

After learning a few notes, she was eager to play a short tune.

新拼图摆在桌上，孩子们跃跃欲试。

### Traditional Chinese

新拼圖擺在桌上，孩子們躍躍欲試。

xīn pīn tú bǎi zài zhuō shàng ， hái zi men yuè yuè yù shì 。

The new puzzle on the table made the children eager to begin.

他对做陶器跃跃欲试，先认真听了操作说明。

### Traditional Chinese

他對做陶器躍躍欲試，先認真聽了操作說明。

tā duì zuò táo qì yuè yuè yù shì ， xiān rèn zhēn tīng le cāo zuò shuō míng 。

He was eager to try pottery and first listened carefully to the instructions.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1368&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%BA%8D%E8%BA%8D%E6%AC%B2%E8%A9%A6)

## Keep exploring

- [再接再厉 zài jiē zài lì Keep making renewed efforts ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zai-jie-zai-li)

- [栉风沐雨 zhì fēng mù yǔ Work outdoors through harsh weather ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhi-feng-mu-yu)

- [专心致志 zhuān xīn zhì zhì Concentrate wholeheartedly ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhuan-xin-zhi-zhi)

- [自暴自弃 zì bào zì qì Give up on oneself and stop trying ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zi-bao-zi-qi)

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