白头偕老
白头偕老 (bái tóu xié lǎo) literally means “white heads together in old age” and expresses “grow old together; lifelong partnership”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: bai tou xie lao, bai tou xie lao,白头偕老 meaning, 白头偕老 in english
Grow old together; lifelong partnership
Pronunciation: bái tóu xié lǎo
Literal meaning: White heads together in old age
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes white (白) heads (头) together (偕) in old age (老). It depicts couples who grow old together, their hair turning white side by side. The phrase is a common blessing at weddings. Modern usage expresses wishes for lasting marriages, the hope that couples will remain devoted until both have grey hair, symbolizing lifelong companionship.
Examples
English: "They wished the newlyweds a lifetime of happiness together."
Chinese: 他们祝愿新婚夫妇白头偕老。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 白头偕老 mean in English?
白头偕老 (bái tóu xié lǎo) literally translates to “White heads together in old age” and is used to express “Grow old together; lifelong partnership”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 白头偕老 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving grow old together; lifelong partnership.
What is the pinyin for 白头偕老?
The pinyin pronunciation for 白头偕老 is “bái tóu xié lǎo”.