the young are formidable; youth surpasses age
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
the younger generation is formidable and will surpass their predecessors; youth inspires awe
literaryUsed to praise talented young people who achieve great things at a young age, often with a tone of admiration or surprise. Originated from the Analects of Confucius.
Zhè这
wèi位
nián年
qīng轻
de的
kē科
xué学
jiā家
cái才
sān三
shí十
suì岁
jiù就
yǒu有
le了
zhòng重
dà大
fā发
xiàn现
，
zhēn真
shi是
hòu后
shēng生
kě可
wèi畏
。
This young scientist made a major discovery at just thirty years old—the younger generation is truly formidable.
Kàn看
dào到
zhè这
qún群
nián年
qīng轻
rén人
de的
chuàng创
xīn新
néng能
lì力
，
wǒ我
bù不
jīn禁
gǎn感
tàn叹
hòu后
shēng生
kě可
wèi畏
。
Seeing the innovative ability of these young people, I can't help but sigh that the youth are indeed awe-inspiring.
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Kǒng孔
zǐ子
shuō说
：
"
hòu后
shēng生
kě可
wèi畏
，
yān焉
zhī知
lái来
zhě者
zhī之
bù不
rú如
jīn今
yě也
？
"
Confucius said, 'The younger generation is formidable—how do we know that those who come after will not surpass those of today?'