离群索居 to live in seclusion
Explanation
离开集体或人群，独自生活。形容孤僻或与世隔绝的生活状态。
To leave a group or crowd and live alone. Describes a lonely or isolated lifestyle.
Origin Story
春秋时期，隐士伯夷和叔齐兄弟二人，为了坚持自己的理想，宁愿隐居深山，也不愿在商纣王统治下做官。他们兄弟二人在首阳山上采薇而食，过着清苦的隐居生活，最终饿死在山上。他们的这种离群索居的行为，体现了他们高尚的节操和坚定的信念。然而，他们的行为也反映出一种极端的个人主义倾向，在一定程度上忽略了社会和集体的力量。
During the Spring and Autumn Period, the recluses Bo Yi and Shu Qi, two brothers, preferred to live in seclusion in the mountains rather than serve under the rule of King Zhou of Shang in order to uphold their ideals. They lived a frugal life gathering wild vegetables on Mount Shouyang and ultimately starved to death. Their secluded lifestyle demonstrated their noble integrity and firm belief, but it also reflected an extreme tendency toward individualism, ignoring the power of society and community to some degree.
Usage
常用来形容人性格孤僻，不愿与人交往，过着孤单的生活。
Often used to describe someone who is solitary, unwilling to socialize, and leads a lonely life.
Examples
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他性格孤僻，长期离群索居。
tā xìnggé gūpì, chángqī líqún suǒjū
He has a solitary personality and has been living in seclusion for a long time.
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他厌倦了城市的喧嚣，选择离群索居，过起了田园生活。
tā yànjuànle chéngshì de xuānxāo, xuǎnzé líqún suǒjū, guò qǐle tiányuán shēnghuó
Tired of the noise of the city, he chose to live in seclusion and live a pastoral life.
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自从妻子去世后，他就离群索居，很少与人来往。
zìcóng qīzi qùshì hòu, tā jiù líqún suǒjū, hěn shǎo yǔ rén lái wǎng
Since his wife's death, he has lived in seclusion and rarely interacts with others.