歲不我與

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Chinese

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year; years old; (a measure word) not; no I; me
and; to give; together with
and; to give; together with; take part in; (interrog. part.)
 
trad. (歲不我與)
simp. (岁不我与)
Literally: “the years do not wait for us”.

Etymology

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From the Analects, Book 17 (《論語·陽貨》). Yang Huo (陽貨) is trying to persuade Confucius into taking office:

:「可謂?」:「不可。」「失時?」:「不可。」「日月歲不我與。」孔子:「。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
:「怀可谓?」:「不可。」「失时?」:「不可。」「日月岁不我与。」孔子:「。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Yuē: “Huái qí bǎo ér mí qí bāng, kěwèi rén hū?” Yuē: “Bùkě.” “hào cóng shì ér jí shīshí, kě wèi zhì hū?” Yuē: “Bùkě.” “rìyuè shì yǐ, suì bù wǒ yǔ.” Kǒng Zǐ yuē: “Nuò. Wú jiāng shì yǐ.” [Pinyin]
He then asked, "Can he be called benevolent who keeps his jewel in his bosom, and leaves his country to confusion?" Confucius replied, "No." "Can he be called wise, who is anxious to be engaged in public employment, and yet is constantly losing the opportunity of being so?" Confucius again said, "No." "The days and months are passing away; the years do not wait for us." Confucius said, "Right; I will go into office."

Pronunciation

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Idiom

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歲不我與

  1. to have missed an opportunity; time and tide wait for no man

Synonyms

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