zi1 ming6 zi1 nin4知命之年
Jyutpingzi1 ming6 zi1 nin4
Yalejī mihng jī nìhn
Definition
Fifty years old; quinquagenarian.
writtentimepeople
How it's used
Derived from the Confucian classic The Analects, this term carries a sophisticated and slightly literary tone. It is rarely used in casual daily chatter among younger people, appearing more often in formal writing, speeches, or when someone is reflecting on their life stage. It implies a sense of wisdom and acceptance of one's destiny that comes with reaching the half-century mark.
Examples
He has just reached the age of fifty this year.
Common mistake
Do not use this term in casual conversation with peers or younger people, as it sounds overly formal or poetic. It is specifically reserved for describing someone who has reached the age of fifty and is not a general way to say fifty years old.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
