tuōtāihuàngǔ

脱胎换骨

Word · VerbTraditional脫胎換骨

reborn; thoroughly transformed; complete metamorphosis

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 6 examples
1.

verb

to shed the mortal fetus and exchange the bones (Daoist term for achieving immortality through cultivation)

archaic

Original, literal meaning from Daoist cultivation terminology describing the physical transformation upon achieving immortality.

Dào道
shì士
xiū修
liàn炼
duō多
nián年
 ,
zhōng终
yú于
tuō脱
tāi胎
huàn换
gǔ骨
 ,
fēi飞
shēng升
chéng成
xiān仙
 。

The Taoist priest cultivated for many years and finally shed his mortal body and bones, ascending to immortality.

Chuán传
shuō说
zhōng中
de的
xiān仙
rén人
dōu都
shì是
tuō脱
tāi胎
huàn换
gǔ骨
zhī之
hòu后
cái才
cháng长
shēng生
bù不
lǎo老
de的
 。

According to legend, immortals only achieved eternal youth after undergoing the transformation of shedding their mortal bodies.

2.

verb

to undergo a thorough transformation; to completely change one's standpoint or viewpoint; to turn over a new leaf

Metaphorical extension of the original meaning. Often used to describe fundamental reform, personal reform, or complete ideological transformation. Can be used positively or neutrally.

Jīng经
guò过
zhè这
cì次
péi培
xùn训
 ,
tā他
tuō脱
tāi胎
huàn换
gǔ骨
 ,
gōng工
zuò作
xiào效
lǜ率
tí提
gāo高
le了
hěn很
duō多
 。

After this training, he was completely transformed and his work efficiency improved greatly.

Zhè这
gè个
zuì罪
fàn犯
zài在
jiān监
yù狱
lǐ里
tuō脱
tāi胎
huàn换
gǔ骨
 ,
chóng重
xīn新
zuò做
rén人
 。

This criminal underwent a complete transformation in prison and started his life anew.

Show 2 more examples
Gōng公
sī司
jīng经
guò过
chóng重
zǔ组
 ,
tuō脱
tāi胎
huàn换
gǔ骨
 ,
yè业
jì绩
zhēng蒸
zhēng蒸
rì日
shàng上
 。

After reorganization, the company was completely transformed and its performance is thriving.

Zhǐ只
yǒu有
tuō脱
tāi胎
huàn换
gǔ骨
 ,
cái才
néng能
gēn跟
shàng上
shí时
dài代
de的
bù步
fá伐
 。

Only through thorough transformation can one keep pace with the times.