bǎo饱fulljīng经experiencecāng沧bluesāng桑mulberry
To have experienced the vicissitudes of life; to have gone through many changes.
Literal meaning
full (饱) — experience (经) — blue (沧) — mulberry (桑)
Origin
The phrase alludes to the changes of the world, like mulberry fields turning into oceans and vice versa. A classical four-character phrase.
Examples
Tā他bǎo饱jīng经cāng沧sāng桑，kàn看dàn淡le了xǔ许duō多shì事。
Having experienced the vicissitudes of life, he has become indifferent to many things.
Zhè这wèi位lǎo老rén人bǎo饱jīng经cāng沧sāng桑，liǎn脸shàng上bù布mǎn满le了zhòu皱wén纹。
This old man has experienced many changes, and his face is full of wrinkles.
Usage & nuances
Often used to describe someone who has lived a long and eventful life.
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