回老家

huílǎojiā

verb #26,749

Meanings

1 to go back to one's hometown
2 to return to one's native place
3 (euphemism) to die; to join one's ancestors

Characters

to return; to go back

old; original; longtime

home; family; hometown

Examples

过年的时候，大家都回老家和家人团聚。

Guònián de shíhou, dàjiā dōu huílǎojiā hé jiārén tuánjù.

During the Spring Festival, everyone goes back to their hometown to reunite with family.

他开玩笑说：'再不小心就要回老家了！'

Tā kāiwánxiào shuō: ' Zàibù xiǎoxīn jiùyào huílǎojiā le! '

He joked: 'One more slip and I'll be joining my ancestors!'

Tips

usage

回老家 literally means 'to return to one's hometown'. As a euphemism, it means to die — you've returned to be with your ancestors. The same dark humor as 'kicked the bucket' in English.

Stroke Order

回 huí

老 lǎo

家 jiā