Chinese word

出山

Pronunciation

Pinyinchū shān

Meaning

verbcome out of retirement

Example

公司请他出山解决技术问题。gōng sī qǐng tā chū shān jiě jué jì shù wèn tí

The company asks him to come out of retirement to solve the technical problem.

Illustration for 出山 (come out of retirement)

More examples

传言那位隐士已经出山，村里的人很惊讶。chuán yán nà wèi yǐn shì yǐ jīng chū shān cūn lǐ de rén hěn jīng yà

It is said that the hermit has come out of retirement, and the villagers are very surprised.

Core concept

An experienced person steps out of seclusion to take charge when a difficult matter needs special expertise.

Common phrases

隐士出山yǐn shì chū shān
a hermit comes out of retirement
被请出山bèi qǐng chū shān
be invited out of retirement

Similar words

出马chū mǎ: Personally stepping forward to carry out an important role or task.
出面chū miàn: Appearing publicly to handle a matter in an official capacity.
出手chū shǒu: Taking action or offering help directly to deal with a situation.
现身xiàn shēn: Appearing in person at the scene of an event or situation.

Definition in Chinese

被请或自发地离开隐匿状态参与事务，常用以描述关键问题由当事人亲自处理。bèi qǐng huò zì fā dì lí kāi yǐn nì zhuàng tài cān yù shì wù cháng yòng yǐ miáo shù guān jiàn wèn tí yóu dāng shì rén qīn zì chú lǐ

Word origin

出山 (chūshān, "come out of the mountains") combines 出 (chū, "exit") + 山 (shān, "mountain"), using a person leaving the mountains as a metaphor for entering public affairs.

Usage tips

In conversation, this word often sounds respectful and slightly dramatic when a team calls on a veteran specialist to handle a difficult matter rather than ordinary work.

Opposites

隐居yǐn jūlive in seclusionverb