📖 Meaning
To study diligently in one's youth and put that learning into practice in adulthood. This idiom encapsulates the ideal Confucian life trajectory: devoted scholarship during formative years, followed by active application of knowledge and principles in public life during one's prime.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Confucian classic Mencius, in the chapter 'King Hui of Liang, Part II' (《孟子·梁惠王二》). Mencius stated: 'What people learn in their youth, they wish to practice when they come of age' (夫人幼而学之，壮而欲行之). The phrase was later condensed into the four-character idiom '幼学壮行' by Ming dynasty scholar Zhao Bi (赵弼) in his work 'Biography of Master Yuzhuang' (《愚庄先生传》), where he wrote of 'not betraying this lifelong aspiration of learning young and acting in maturity.'
💡 Example Usage
他秉持幼学壮行之志，终成一代大儒。
He upheld the principle of studying in youth and acting in maturity, ultimately becoming a great Confucian scholar of his era.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 幼学壮行
- Pinyin: yòu xué zhuàng xíng
- Literal Translation: young, study, mature, act
- Category: Learning
- Characters: 4