少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲 — “If young and strong, one does not strive, in old age, one will only lament in vain”
少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a warning that if one does not work hard and make efforts during their youth, they will face regret and sorrow in old age”. Literally, “If young and strong, one does not strive, in old age, one will only lament in vain”.
少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲 Pronunciation and Pinyin
少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲
Origin and Story of 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲
In ancient China, within the 'Yuefu Shi Ji' (Collection of Yuefu Poetry), there is a poem titled 'Chang Ge Xing' (Long Song Travel). Through the imagery of mallows in a garden, the author conveys how one should cherish and make the most of their youth, which is like a golden era.
The poem reads: 'Green, green mallows in the garden, Morning dew awaits the sun. Spring bestows its nurturing grace, All things radiate with vibrant light. Constantly I fear the arrival of autumn, When yellowing flowers and leaves wither. A hundred rivers flow east to the sea, When will they ever return west? If one does not strive in youth, In old age, one will only grieve in vain.'
Idioms Related to 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲
More idioms starting with 少
- shào少bù不gēng更shì事young and inexperienced
- shào少bù不jīng经shì事Young and inexperienced
- shǎo少chī吃jiǎn俭yòng用eat less and use sparingly
- shǎo少chī吃quē缺chuān穿lacking food and clothing
- shào少zhuàng壮pài派vigorous young generation
- shǎo少tóu头méi没wěi尾incomplete or poorly done
- shǎo少tóu头quē缺wěi尾incomplete or fragmentary
- shào少nǚ女nèn嫩fù妇young and delicate women
- shǎo少ān安wù勿zào躁be patient, do not be impatient
- shǎo少ān安wú无zào躁Calm down and be patient
- shǎo少ān安wú毋zào躁Be patient and calm
- shào少xiǎo小wú无cāi猜innocent childhood playmates
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Open the tool →Questions about 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲
What does 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲 mean?
少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲 (shào zhuàng bù nǔ lì ， lǎo dà tú shāng bēi) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a warning that if one does not work hard and make efforts during their youth, they will face regret and sorrow in old age”.
How do you pronounce 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲?
少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲 is pronounced shào zhuàng bù nǔ lì ， lǎo dà tú shāng bēi in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲 literally mean?
Literally, 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲 means “If young and strong, one does not strive, in old age, one will only lament in vain”. It is used to mean “a warning that if one does not work hard and make efforts during their youth, they will face regret and sorrow in old age”.
Where does 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲 come from?
少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲?
年轻力壮的时候不奋发图强，到了老年，悲伤也没用了。