活到老

huódàolǎo

phrase #32,761

Meanings

1 to live until old age
2 (in 活到老学到老) live and learn — keep learning your whole life

Characters

Examples

活到老，学到老。

Huódàolǎo, xuédàolǎo.

Live to be old, learn to be old — keep learning as long as you live.

他活到老，干到老，从不闲着。

Tā huódàolǎo, gàndàolǎo, cóng bù xiánzhe.

He worked his whole life and never sat idle.

Tips

usage

Almost always paired with another 到老 clause. The classic 活到老，学到老 ('live and learn') is the most famous; variants include 活到老，干到老 ('work all your life'). The pattern means 'keep V-ing right up to old age' and is a stock motivational saying.

Stroke Order

活 huó

到 dào

老 lǎo