耄倪

màoní
noun

Meanings

  1. 1 the old and the young
  2. 2 people of all ages

Examples

HSK 7-9
Zhànluàn shǐde màoní liúlí-shīsuǒ.
The war left the old and the young homeless.
HSK 7-9
Rén zhèng zhīxià, màoní jiē ān.
Under benevolent rule, both old and young are at peace.

Tips

history
Traces back to Mencius (《孟子·梁惠王下》): 反其旄倪 'return their old and young' - was later written . = aged 80+, = small child, so 耄倪 brackets the whole age range.
register
Strictly literary / classical. You'll see it in historical writing, not conversation.

Stroke Order

mào