Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 青春 | qīngchūn |
| 芳華 / 芳华 | fānghuá |
| 青年時期 / 青年时期 | qīngnián shíqí |
| 華年 / 华年 | huánián |
| 英年 | yīngnián |
The term refers to the part of life following childhood.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 青春 literally translates to "green spring", where "green" (青) symbolizes vitality and "spring" (春) symbolizes the beginning of life.
Which one should you use?
青春 is the most common and neutral way to refer to the abstract concept of being young or the period of youth. 青年时期 is a more formal or clinical term used to describe youth as a specific biological or sociological developmental stage. 芳华 is a highly literary and poetic term used to describe the beauty and splendor of one's prime. 英年 is a literary term that refers to youthful years, but it is most frequently encountered in the context of dying young, specifically in the phrase regarding someone dying in their prime.
How do you pronounce it?
qīngchūn
Did you know?
- The concept of 青春 is deeply tied to the 'Wood' element of the Wu Xing system, which governs both the color green and the season of spring.
- Using the word 芳 (fragrant) in 芳华 adds a sensory layer to the idea of youth, suggesting that the period of being young is something that 'smells' or feels beautiful.
- Because 青春 literally means 'green spring', describing someone as 'green' in Chinese suggests vitality and potential rather than being 'naive' or 'inexperienced' as in English.
Examples in context
- 她懷念自己的青春歲月。She pines for the days of her youth.This sentence is useful for expressing nostalgia for the days of one's youth using 青春.Tatoeba #13573774 by LeviHighway, translation #12657081 by rul
- 当我们回眸青春，仿佛有一种说不出的痛。When we look back at our youth, there seems to be an indescribable pain.This sentence is useful for reflecting on the emotions associated with looking back at one's youth using 青春.Tatoeba #1361965 by sadhen, translation #12627199 by weihaiping
- 很多人问我，青春的诀别是否意味着年迈的将近。A lot of people ask me whether bidding goodbye to youth means old age is near.This sentence is useful for discussing the transition from youth to old age using 青春.Tatoeba #1361966 by sadhen, translation #6010948 by szilviez
- 中国的青年是国家的未来。The youth of China are the future of the country.
- 我所关注的问题是青年的教育。The issue I am concerned about is the education of the youth.
- 咱们年轻人要好好享受生活。We young people should enjoy life to the fullest.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at old high school photos.
- 梓涵 Zihan看，这就是我们的青春。Kàn, zhè jiùshì wǒmen de qīngchūn.Look, this is our youth.
- 伟 Wei那时候我们真是太年轻了。Nà shíhòu wǒmen zhēnshì tài niánqīng le.We were so young back then.
- 梓涵 Zihan青春真的是最美好的时光。Qīngchūn zhēn de shì zuì měihǎo de shíguāng.Youth really is the most beautiful time.
- 伟 Wei我也这么觉得，梓涵。Wǒ yě zhème juéde, Zǐhán.I feel the same way, Zihan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “youth” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 青春, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
