蹉跎岁月 To let time slip away
Explanation
蹉跎岁月是指虚度光阴，把时间白白地浪费掉。
"To let time slip away" means to waste time and let it pass by uselessly.
Origin Story
话说唐朝诗人李颀，年轻时怀才不遇，壮志未酬，四十岁才考中进士，做了新乡县令。后来因不满官场黑暗，便辞官归隐，潜心创作诗歌。他的朋友魏万去长安应试，李颀写下著名的《送魏万之京》诗，其中有句：“莫见长安行乐处，空掷岁月易蹉跎。”这句诗劝诫魏万不要沉迷于长安的繁华享乐，以免虚度光阴，浪费大好青春。这便是“蹉跎岁月”一词的由来，李颀自己的前半生，也可谓是“蹉跎岁月”的真实写照。他虽然才华横溢，却因为时局动荡，错过了很多机会，直到年近不惑才有所成就。但李颀也并非一味消极，他珍惜时间，潜心创作，留下了许多千古流传的佳作，为后人留下了宝贵的精神财富。他的故事告诉我们，即使经历了“蹉跎岁月”，也不要失去对未来的希望，只要珍惜当下，努力奋斗，就能创造美好的未来。
It is said that Li Qi, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, was not appreciated in his youth and his ambitions were not fulfilled. He passed the imperial examination only at the age of forty and became the magistrate of Xinxiang. Later, dissatisfied with the dark political scene, he resigned and devoted himself to poetry. His friend Wei Wan went to Chang'an to take the examination, and Li Qi wrote the famous poem "Song Wei Wan zhi Jing", which contains the line: "莫见长安行乐处，空掷岁月易蹉跎." This poem advises Wei Wan not to be fascinated by the glamour and enjoyment of Chang'an, lest he waste his time and best youth. This is the origin of the idiom "to let time slip away". The first half of Li Qi's life can also be regarded as a true portrayal of "to let time slip away". Although he had outstanding talent, due to the turbulent situation, he missed many opportunities and only achieved some success shortly before his fortieth birthday. But Li Qi was not always passive. He cherished his time, devoted himself to writing, and left behind many masterpieces that have been preserved to this day, leaving valuable spiritual wealth to posterity. His story teaches us that even if we experience "letting time slip away", we should not lose hope for the future. As long as we cherish the present and work hard, we can create a better future.
Usage
形容虚度光阴，浪费时间。
Describes wasting time and squandering time.
Examples
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他整天无所事事，蹉跎岁月，真是浪费青春。
ta zhengtian wusuo shishi cuotuoyue, zhenshi langfeiqingchun
He spends his days idle and wastes his time, which is a shame.
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不要蹉跎岁月，要珍惜时间，努力学习。
buya cuotuoyue, yao zhenxi shijian, nuli xuexi
Don't waste your time, cherish it and study hard.