verb HSK 5
Traditional 釋懷
to let go · to feel relieved · to stop worrying about something
Meaning
释怀 describes the psychological process of letting go of negative emotions, worries, or grudges that have been troubling your heart. It means to release mental or emotional burdens and achieve inner peace about something that previously caused distress.
Usage
This is a somewhat formal or literary term commonly used in written Chinese and thoughtful conversations about emotions. Native speakers use it when discussing moving past grief, resentment, disappointment, or regret. It often appears in phrases like 难以释怀 (hard to let go) or 无法释怀 (unable to feel relieved).
Examples
- 01她对那件事一直无法释怀。.She has never been able to let go of that matter.
- 02时间会让你慢慢释怀的。.Time will help you gradually let it go.
Characters
Common collocations
- 难以释怀hard to let go
- 无法释怀unable to feel relieved
- 始终释怀不了never able to let it go
Antonyms
Origin
释 originally means to release or untie, while 怀 refers to one's heart or bosom. Together they literally mean to release what is held in the heart.