返老还童
返老还童 (fǎn lǎo huán tóng) literally means “return to youth” and expresses “regain vitality”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: fan lao huan tong, fan lao huan tong,返老还童 meaning, 返老还童 in english
Regain vitality
Pronunciation: fǎn lǎo huán tóng Literal meaning: Return to youth
Origin & Usage
The idiom 返老还童 (fǎn lǎo huán tóng) is commonly used in classical Chinese to describe the concept of reversing aging and returning to a youthful state. While it does not have a specific origin story in ancient texts, it vividly paints the image of someone becoming young again. The characters 返 (fǎn) mean 'return,' 老 (lǎo) mean 'old,' 还 (huán) mean 'return,' and 童 (tóng) mean 'child.' In modern usage, this idiom is often used metaphorically to describe someone who has regained vitality or youthful energy, as if they have turned back the clock on aging.
Examples
English: "The new skincare treatment promises to turn back the clock on aging."
Chinese: 这种新的护肤疗法承诺能让人返老还童。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 返老还童 mean in English?
返老还童 (fǎn lǎo huán tóng) literally translates to “Return to youth” and is used to express “Regain vitality”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 返老还童 used?
Situation: The new skincare treatment promises to turn back the clock on aging.
What is the pinyin for 返老还童?
The pinyin pronunciation for 返老还童 is “fǎn lǎo huán tóng”.