ancient coming-of-age at 20; early twenties (men)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
the capping ceremony at age 20 for ancient Chinese men; the age of 20 (for men)
archaicOriginally refers to the coming-of-age ceremony (guanli) held for men at age 20 in ancient China, marking the transition to adulthood but not yet full maturity (hence 'weak'). Now generally refers to men around the age of 20. Literary and somewhat archaic.
nián年
fāng方
ruò弱
guàn冠
just reached the age of twenty
Tā他
zhèng正
zhí值
ruò弱
guàn冠
zhī之
nián年
，
yì意
qì气
fēng风
fā发
。
He was in the prime of his youth, full of vigor and enthusiasm.
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Ruò弱
guàn冠
ér而
shì逝
，
lìng令
rén人
wǎn惋
xī惜
。
Passing away at the age of twenty is truly lamentable.