少壯不努力，老大徒傷悲 shào zhuàng bù nǔ lì ， lǎo dà tú shāng bēi

waste youth, regret in old age

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. if you are lazy in your prime, you'll be sorry in your old age

Characters

Character Meaning
少 shào HSK 1
few; less; to lack
壯 zhuàng
strong; robust; to strengthen
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
努 nǔ HSK 3
to strive; to exert
力 lì HSK 3
strength; force; power
老 lǎo HSK 1
old (of people)
大 dà HSK 1
big; large; great
徒 tú HSK 6
on foot; only; disciple
傷 shāng
to injure; injury; wound
悲 bēi HSK 5
sad; sorrow; grief