解甲归田
jiě jiǎ guī tián
to leave the army and return to civilian life
Character by character
解jiě
remove
remove
甲jiǎ
armour
armour
归guī
return to
return to
田tián
fields
fields
Example
老将军解甲归田以后，在老家种了一大片果树。
After he left the army, the old general planted a large orchard in his home village.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
甲 is armour: an old soldier takes it off and goes home to farm. Today said of anyone leaving the forces, and jokingly of athletes or executives who retire: 这位老将已经解甲归田.
Learn this in Lesson 202 · HSK 7–9: 参军 (Joining the army)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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