老当益壮
- Literal
- old, one should be all the more robust
- Figurative
- To stay vigorous and high-spirited in old age, even more so than before; old but full of energy and drive.
Where does 老当益壮 come from?
The phrase is credited to the Eastern Han general Ma Yuan. As a young man, traveling through the Long and Han regions, he liked to tell his guests that a man of true character should grow "firmer the poorer he is, and stronger the older he gets" (穷当益坚，老当益壮). True to his words, even past sixty Ma Yuan kept volunteering to lead military campaigns, and when the emperor hesitated because of his age, he mounted his horse in full armor to prove he was still fit. His life became a model of refusing to give in to old age.
Source (出处): 《后汉书·马援传》
How is 老当益壮 used? Two examples
- 我爷爷七十岁还每天爬山，真是老当益壮。
My grandfather still climbs the mountain every day at seventy; he really is full of vigor in his old age.
- 退休以后他开始学钢琴，老当益壮的精神让大家很佩服。
After retiring he took up the piano; his old-but-spirited attitude leaves everyone full of admiration.
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