# 生龙活虎

shēng lóng huó hǔ

Be full of vigor and energy

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A living dragon and an active tiger

**Traditional Chinese:** 生龍活虎

**Register:** Appreciative · expressive

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Describe lively movement and restored vitality.

Usually cheerful; not simply aggressive.

## Understanding the expression

Dragons and tigers lend strength and animation to the image. The expression describes someone moving with abundant energy, often in play, sport, or a return to health. It can portray a group as well as an individual. The emphasis is lively vitality rather than hostility or physical size. Someone may be energetic without being noisy, though the phrase naturally suits visible action that makes the renewed spirit easy to notice.

## Examples

孩子们在操场上生龙活虎。

### Traditional Chinese

孩子們在操場上生龍活虎。

hái zi men zài cāo chǎng shàng shēng lóng huó hǔ 。

The children were lively and energetic on the playground.

休息后，他又生龙活虎了。

### Traditional Chinese

休息後，他又生龍活虎了。

xiū xi hòu ， tā yòu shēng lóng huó hǔ liǎo 。

After resting, he was full of energy again.

这支球队个个生龙活虎。

### Traditional Chinese

這支球隊個個生龍活虎。

zhè zhī qiú duì gè gè shēng lóng huó hǔ 。

Every member of this team is vigorous and lively.

爷爷打起乒乓球来生龙活虎。

### Traditional Chinese

爺爺打起乒乓球來生龍活虎。

yé ye dǎ qǐ pīng pāng qiú lái shēng lóng huó hǔ 。

Grandpa becomes wonderfully energetic when playing table tennis.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%94%9F%E9%BE%8D%E6%B4%BB%E8%99%8E)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=847&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [升堂入室 shēng táng rù shì Progress to a higher level of mastery ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/sheng-tang-ru-shi)

- [事半功倍 shì bàn gōng bèi Get better results with less effort ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shi-ban-gong-bei)

- [势如破竹 shì rú pò zhú Advance with overwhelming ease and momentum ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shi-ru-po-zhu)

- [事在人为 shì zài rén wéi People's effort can shape the outcome ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shi-zai-ren-wei)

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