青春 (qīngchūn): youth

Meanings

1 youth
2 youthfulness

Characters

青

Literally 'green spring' — the springtime of life

Examples

青春是人生中最美好的时光。

Qīngchūn shì rénshēng zhōng zuì měihǎo de shíguāng.

Youth is the most wonderful time in life.

不要浪费你的青春。

Búyào làngfèi nǐ de qīngchūn.

Don't waste your youth.

她的脸上充满了青春的活力。

Tā de liǎn shàng chōngmǎn le qīngchūn de huólì.

Her face is full of youthful vitality.

Tips

history

青春 is a deeply literary word in Chinese. Classical poets used it to lament the passing of youth and the fleeting nature of beauty.

culture

青春片 is a hugely popular film genre in China — coming-of-age movies about school days, first love, and growing up.

In Pop Culture

致我们终将逝去的青春 Zhì wǒmen zhōngjiāng shìqù de qīngchūn

So Young (2013 film)

Zhao Wei's hit 2013 film about college nostalgia

Stroke Order

青 qīng

春 chūn

Related Words

青春期 qīngchūnqī HSK 7-9 #7,995

puberty / adolescence

青春不再 qīngchūn-bùzài

youth will never return / make the most of your opportunities while young

青春痘 qīngchūndòu #30,611

acne / pimples

青年 qīngnián HSK 2 #5,475

youth / young person

永葆青春 yǒngbǎo-qīngchūn #31,214

to stay forever young / to keep one's youth permanently

青春作伴好还乡 qīngchūn zuòbàn hǎo huán xiāng

with spring as my companion, it is a fine time to return home / the spring season is the perfect traveling companion for going home

青少年 qīngshàonián HSK 2 #4,532

teenager / adolescent

青蛙 qīngwā HSK 7-9 #5,272

frog

青 qīng HSK 5 #3,715

green; blue; blue-green / young; youthful / black (of hair)

春季 chūnjì HSK 4 #10,979

spring (season)