Definition
垂垂老矣 is a literary four-character phrase meaning 'already getting old' or 'advanced in years'. The structure combines 垂垂 (gradually, slowly) + 老 (old) + 矣 (classical Chinese sentence-final particle indicating a completed state, equivalent to 'already'). It is used in formal or literary contexts to describe someone who is aging, often with a sense of wistfulness or inevitability. As a verb phrase, it functions as a predicate.
v
(literary) to be getting oldto be advanced in years
Examples
- 垂垂老矣，矍铄。Tā suī chuí chuí lǎo yǐ, dàn jīngshén juéshuò.Although he is already old, he is still vigorous.
- ，垂垂老矣。Shíguāng fēishì, bù jué yǐ chuí chuí lǎo yǐ.Time flies, and before I knew it, I am already old.
- 垂垂老矣，。Zhè wèi lǎo jiàoshòu chuí chuí lǎo yǐ, réng bǐgēng bù chuò.This old professor, though advanced in years, still keeps writing diligently.
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