鹤发童颜
鹤发童颜 (hè fà tóng yán) literally means “crane hair, child face” and expresses “youthful despite old age”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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Youthful despite old age
Pronunciation: hè fà tóng yán
Literal meaning: Crane hair, child face
Origin & Usage
This complimentary idiom describes someone with white hair (鹤发) like a crane yet maintaining a child-like complexion (童颜), representing the ideal of aging gracefully. It first appeared in Tang Dynasty texts describing Daoist masters who supposedly preserved youthful vitality through meditation and alchemical practices. During the Song Dynasty, the phrase became associated with scholars who maintained intellectual vigor into old age. The crane imagery was particularly significant as these birds represented both longevity and wisdom in Chinese symbolism. Modern usage celebrates elderly individuals who maintain physical health, mental acuity, and spirited attitudes despite advanced age, embodying the traditional Chinese ideal that wisdom and vitality need not diminish together.
Examples
English: "The 90-year-old professor maintained youthful energy despite his white hair"
Chinese: 这位90岁的教授尽管白发苍苍，却依然保持着年轻的活力
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 鹤发童颜 mean in English?
鹤发童颜 (hè fà tóng yán) literally translates to “Crane hair, child face” and is used to express “Youthful despite old age”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 鹤发童颜 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving youthful despite old age.
What is the pinyin for 鹤发童颜?
The pinyin pronunciation for 鹤发童颜 is “hè fà tóng yán”.