年老体衰 nián lǎo tǐ shuāi old and frail

Explanation

指年纪很大，身体衰弱。

refers to someone who is very old and physically weak.

Origin Story

村子里住着一位名叫李大伯的老人，他曾经是一位远近闻名的木匠，年轻时，他身强力壮，手艺精湛，制作的家具不仅结实耐用，而且造型美观，深受乡亲们的喜爱。然而，岁月不饶人，李大伯如今已年老体衰，虽然他依然热爱木匠这门手艺，但年迈的体质已不允许他长时间操持重活。他的手艺已经不如从前那般精细，但他依然会时不时地制作一些小物件，满足自己的兴趣。村里的孩子们都很喜欢他，经常会去他的小屋，听他讲过去的故事，听他讲木匠的技艺，李大伯也会耐心地给他们讲解木匠工具的使用方法，即使他年老体衰，但他的经验和知识仍然被孩子们所敬重。

cūnzi lǐ zhùzhe yī wèi míng jiào lǐ dà bó de lǎorén, tā céngjīng shì yī wèi yuǎnjìn wénmíng de mùjiàng, niánqīng shí, tā shēnqiáng lìzhuàng, shǒuyì jīngzhàn, zhìzuò de jiājù bù jǐn jiēshi nàiyòng, érqiě zàoxíng měiguān, shēnshòu xiāngqīn men de xǐ'ài. rán'ér, suìyuè bù ráo rén, lǐ dà bó rújīn yǐ nián lǎo tǐ shuāi, suīrán tā yīrán rè'ài mùjiàng zhè mén shǒuyì, dàn niánmài de tǐzhì yǐ bù yǔnxǔ tā chángshíqiān cáo chí zhòng huó. tā de shǒuyì yǐjīng bù rú cóngqián nà bān jīngxì, dàn tā yīrán huì shí shí bù shí de zhìzuò yīxiē xiǎo wùjiàn, mǎnzú zìjǐ de xìngqù. cūn lǐ de háizi men dōu hěn xǐhuan tā, jīngcháng huì qù tā de xiǎowū, tīng tā jiǎng guòqù de gùshì, tīng tā jiǎng mùjiàng de jìyì, lǐ dà bó yě huì nàixīn de gěi tāmen jiǎngjiě mùjiàng gōngjù de shǐyòng fāngfǎ, jíshǐ tā nián lǎo tǐ shuāi, dàn tā de jīngyàn hé zhīshì réngrán bèi háizi men suǒ jìngzhòng.

In a village lived an old man named Li Da Bo, who was once a well-known carpenter. In his youth, he was strong and healthy, with masterful skills. His furniture was not only sturdy and durable but also beautifully designed, and it was deeply loved by the villagers. However, time takes its toll, and Li Da Bo is now old and frail. Although he still loves the craft of carpentry, his aging body no longer allows him to do heavy work for long periods. His craftsmanship is not as refined as it once was, but he still occasionally makes small objects to satisfy his interests. The children of the village are very fond of him, and they often visit his little house to hear him tell stories of the past and about the art of carpentry. Li Da Bo patiently explains the use of carpentry tools to them, and although he is old and frail, his experience and knowledge are still respected by the children.

Usage

作谓语、定语；用于老年人

zuò wèiyǔ, dìngyǔ; yòng yú lǎonián rén

Predicate, attributive; used for the elderly

Examples

• 他年老体衰，行动不便。

  tā nián lǎo tǐ shuāi, xíngdòng bùbiàn

  He is old and frail.

• 年老体衰的他，依然保持着乐观的心态。

  nián lǎo tǐ shuāi de tā, yīrán bǎochí zhe lèguān de xīntài

  Despite his old age and frailty, he remains optimistic.

Related Idioms

• 老态龙钟

• 行将就木

Opposite Idioms

• 年轻力壮

• 精力充沛