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 huí lǎojiā 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 kāi wánxiào shuō: 'Zài bù xiǎoxīn jiù yào huí lǎojiā 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