夕阳西下

夕陽西下

xīyángxīxià

idiom #38,696

Meanings

1 the setting sun goes down in the west
2 the sun is setting; (figuratively) twilight years; declining days

Characters

to descend; down

Examples

夕阳西下，老两口手牵手在公园散步。

Xīyáng xī xià, lǎo liǎngkǒu shǒu qiān shǒu zài gōngyuán sànbù.

As the sun set in the west, the old couple walked hand in hand through the park.

这个行业已经夕阳西下，年轻人都不愿意进来。

Zhège hángyè yǐjīng xīyángxīxià, niánqīngrén dōu bù yuànyì jìnlai.

This industry is already in its twilight — young people are unwilling to enter it.

Tips

history

From Ma Zhiyuan's (马致远) Yuan-dynasty 散曲《天净沙·秋思》: 夕阳西下，断肠人在天涯 — 'The setting sun sinks in the west; the heartbroken traveler stands at the edge of the world.' One of the most beloved lines in Chinese poetry.

usage

Beyond the literal sunset, often metaphorical — used for declining industries (夕阳产业), aging populations, or someone in their twilight years.

Stroke Order

夕 xī

阳 yáng

西 xī

下 xià