song1 jyu4 mou6 ging2桑榆暮景

Jyutpingsong1 jyu4 mou6 ging2

Yalesōng yùh mouh gíng

Definition

The sunset of one's life; old age.

writtenpeopletime

How it's used

This idiom is a literary expression used to describe the final stage of a person's life, often carrying a slightly melancholic or reflective tone. It is rarely used in casual, everyday speech and is more common in formal writing or when someone wants to sound particularly poetic or dramatic. Using it in a standard conversation might make the speaker sound like they are reciting a classical poem.

Examples

keoi5佢dou1都jat1一baa2把nin4年gei2紀，syun3算hai6係song1桑jyu4榆mou6暮ging2景laa3喇。

He is quite old now, you could say he is in the twilight of his life.

nei4呢wai6位zoeng2長ze2者seoi1雖jin4然song1桑jyu4榆mou6暮ging2景，daan6但ji1依jin4然hou2好zing1精san4神。

Although this elder is in his twilight years, he is still very energetic.

Common phrases

bou6步jap6入song1桑jyu4榆mou6暮ging2景

entering the twilight years

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of a sunset or landscape, but it is strictly a metaphor for human aging. Avoid using it to describe the actual time of day or a physical view.