Rén lǎo, jīng; jiāng lǎo, là.

Lit An older person is shrewder, [just as] old ginger is more pungent.

Note [Note: the adjective lǎolà, “(1) experienced; (2) determined; drastic; ruthless”; see also shēngjiāng shì lǎo de là below; compare the preceding entry.]

Topics AGE EXPERIENCE SHREWDNESS