老当益壮
老当益壮 (lǎo dāng yì zhuàng) literally means “old should become strong” and expresses “vigor despite age”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character.
Also searched as: lao dang yi zhuang, lao dang yi zhuang,老当益壮 meaning, 老当益壮 in english
Vigor despite age
Pronunciation: lǎo dāng yì zhuàng Literal meaning: Old should become strong
Origin & Usage
The idiom 老当益壮 (lǎo dāng yì zhuàng) originates from the historical account of Ma Yuan, a renowned general during the Eastern Han Dynasty. As recorded in the 'Hou Han Shu' (后汉书), Ma Yuan, despite being in his sixties, demonstrated remarkable vigor and determination. When advised to retire, he famously declared, 'A man should become more resolute as he ages' (穷当益坚，老当益壮). The idiom breaks down as follows: 老 (lǎo) means 'old,' 当 (dāng) means 'should,' 益 (yì) means 'more,' and 壮 (zhuàng) means 'strong.' Today, this idiom is used to describe someone who, despite their age, remains energetic and spirited, often showing increased zeal and determination in their pursuits.
Examples
English: "Even in his seventies, he runs marathons and stays active."
Chinese: 他虽然年过七十，但老当益壮，依然参加马拉松。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 老当益壮 mean in English?
老当益壮 (lǎo dāng yì zhuàng) literally translates to “Old should become strong” and is used to express “Vigor despite age”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 老当益壮 used?
Situation: Even in his seventies, he runs marathons and stays active.
What is the pinyin for 老当益壮?
The pinyin pronunciation for 老当益壮 is “lǎo dāng yì zhuàng”.