switch to a new profession late in life; not professionally trained from the start
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to switch to a new career or profession later in life; to start a job without formal training from the beginning
neutralOriginates from Buddhism, referring to someone who becomes a monk in adulthood, not from childhood. Now commonly used for career changers. Can be neutral or slightly self-deprecating. It emphasizes the lack of formal, foundational training compared to those who started young.
Tā他
shì是
bàn半
lù路
chū出
jiā家
xué学
biān编
chéng程
de的
，
xiàn现
zài在
yǐ已
jīng经
shì是
gè个
hěn很
lì厉
hai害
de的
ruǎn软
jiàn件
gōng工
chéng程
shī师
le了
。
He switched to programming later in life and is now a very capable software engineer.
Zhè这
wèi位
chú厨
shī師
shì是
bàn半
lù路
chū出
jiā家
de的
，
yǐ以
qián前
shì是
gè个
kuài会
jì计
shī师
。
This chef is a career changer; he used to be an accountant.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Zài在
yì艺
shù术
jiè界
，
hěn很
duō多
chéng成
gōng功
de的
huà画
jiā家
dōu都
shì是
bàn半
lù路
chū出
jiā家
。
In the art world, many successful painters started their careers later in life.
Bàn半
lù路
chū出
jiā家
de的
yǎn演
yuán员
wǎng往
wǎng往
néng能
dài带
lái来
dú独
tè特
de的
xīn新
xiān鲜
gǎn感
。
Actors who entered the profession later in life often bring a unique freshness.