垂垂老矣 (chuí chuí lǎo yǐ) — (literary) to be getting old, to be advanced in years
Definition
Literary idiom meaning 'to be getting on in years' — an elegant, written way to say someone is aging, stronger than simply 老. Almost always used in formal writing or speech, not daily conversation.
verb
(literary) to be getting oldto be advanced in years
Examples
- 垂垂老矣,矍铄。Tā suī chuí chuí lǎo yǐ, dàn jīng shén jué shuò.Although he is already old, he is still vigorous.
- ,垂垂老矣。Shí guāng fēi shì, bù jué yǐ chuí chuí lǎo yǐ.Time flies, and before I knew it, I am already old.
- 垂垂老矣,。Zhè wèi lǎo jiào shòu chuí chuí lǎo yǐ, réng bǐ gēng bú chuò.This old professor, though advanced in years, still keeps writing diligently.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.