自得其乐 Find one's own amusement
Explanation
自己能够从中得到乐趣，感到快乐满足。
To find pleasure in one's own pursuits.
Origin Story
从前，在一个偏僻的小山村里，住着一位名叫老李的老人。老李年轻时是个木匠，技艺精湛，在村里颇有名气。然而，随着年龄的增长，他的身体越来越差，也逐渐放下了手中的木匠活。孩子们都搬去了城里，老李一个人孤零零地住在老房子里。他本以为会感到孤独和寂寞，没想到，他却找到了属于自己的快乐。每天清晨，老李都会早早起床，在自家院子里的菜园里忙碌起来。他种的菜虽然不多，但每种蔬菜都长得郁郁葱葱，生机勃勃。他还养了几只鸡和几只鸭，这些鸡鸭每天早晨都会准时在他院子门口“喔喔喔”地叫，像是在催促他起床一样。在打理完菜园之后，老李会坐在院子里的老槐树下，拿出他珍藏已久的老花镜，静静地阅读自己喜欢的书。他的书大多是些古诗词和民间故事，这些书籍陪伴了他几十年，记录了他的岁月，也慰藉了他的心灵。傍晚，他会坐在老槐树下，看着夕阳慢慢落下，听着远处村庄里传来的阵阵炊烟，心里感到无比的宁静和满足。他没有电视，也没有手机，更没有其他娱乐活动，但他活得很充实，也很快乐。他经常一个人自言自语，说自己“自得其乐”。
Once upon a time, in a remote mountain village, there lived an old man named Lao Li. In his youth, Lao Li was a skilled carpenter, well-known in the village for his craftsmanship. However, as he aged, his health deteriorated, and he gradually gave up his carpentry work. His children had all moved to the city, leaving Lao Li alone in his old house. He expected to feel lonely and isolated, but unexpectedly, he found his own unique kind of happiness. Every morning, Lao Li would wake up early and tend to his small vegetable garden in the courtyard of his house. Although he didn't grow much, each vegetable plant thrived under his care. He also kept a few chickens and ducks, who would promptly announce his awakening with their cheerful crowing every morning. After tending to his garden, Lao Li would sit under the old locust tree in his yard, take out his well-worn reading glasses, and peacefully read his favorite books. Most of his books were collections of classical Chinese poems and folk stories; these companions had accompanied him for decades, recording the passage of time and comforting his soul. In the evenings, he would sit under the locust tree, watching the sunset slowly descend, listening to the distant sounds of village life, feeling an immense sense of peace and contentment. He didn't own a television, a mobile phone, or engage in any other forms of entertainment, but his life was nonetheless full and joyful. He often spoke to himself, saying that he "finds pleasure in his own pursuits."
Usage
形容自己能够从中得到乐趣。常用于描写人安闲自在的生活状态。
Describes the ability to find pleasure in one's own pursuits; often used to describe a relaxed and carefree state of life.
Examples
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他虽然身处逆境，却能自得其乐。
tā suīrán shēnchù nìjìng, què néng zì dé qí lè
He finds pleasure in his life despite adversity.
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退休后，他每天钓鱼、看书，自得其乐。
tuìxiū hòu, tā měitiān diàoyú, kànshū, zì dé qí lè
After retirement, he fishes and reads every day, enjoying himself.
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他独自一人生活，却自得其乐。
tā dúzì yīrén shēnghuó, què zì dé qí lè
He lives alone, but finds his own happiness in it.