Definition
上年纪 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to be getting on in years' or 'to be aged'. It is used to describe someone who is growing older, often as a polite euphemism for old age. The verb 上 and the noun 年纪 can be split to insert 了 (aspect), measure words like 点儿 or 几岁, or other modifiers — e.g., 上了年纪 ('having gotten old'), 上了一点年纪 ('a bit older'). It is commonly used in the predicate position with 了.
v.o.
to be getting on in yearsto be aged
Examples
- 上年纪,。Tā shǎng le, zǒulù bú tài fāngbiàn.He is getting old and has trouble walking.
- 。Shàng le niánjì de rén yào shǎo hē jiǔ.People who are elderly should drink less alcohol.
- ,。Wǒ fùqin shàng le jǐ suì niánjì, dàn shēntǐ hái hǎo.My father has aged a few years, but he's still in good health.
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