# 叶落归根

yè luò guī gēn

Return to one’s roots or homeland

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A falling leaf returns to its root

**Traditional Chinese:** 葉落歸根

**Register:** Formal · literary

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe a desire to return home, often later in life.

Not everyone’s sense of home is the birthplace.

## Understanding the expression

A leaf falls back toward the place that sustained its growth. The expression turns that natural movement into a desire to return to family origins or homeland. It often appears in the reflections of people who have lived far away for many years. The return may be physical or emotional. Its warmth should not become a rule imposed on everyone: some people find belonging elsewhere, while others cannot safely or practically return.

## Examples

他退休后想叶落归根。

### Traditional Chinese

他退休後想葉落歸根。

tā tuì xiū hòu xiǎng yè luò guī gēn 。

After retirement, he wants to return to his roots.

她在海外多年，仍盼叶落归根。

### Traditional Chinese

她在海外多年，仍盼葉落歸根。

tā zài hǎi wài duō nián ， réng pàn yè luò guī gēn 。

After years abroad, she still hopes to return home.

老人叶落归根，搬回故乡。

### Traditional Chinese

老人葉落歸根，搬回故鄉。

lǎo rén yè luò guī gēn ， bān huí gù xiāng 。

The older man returned to his roots by moving back to his hometown.

孩子尊重他叶落归根的愿望。

### Traditional Chinese

孩子尊重他葉落歸根的願望。

hái zi zūn zhòng tā yè luò guī gēn de yuàn wàng 。

His children respect his wish to return to his homeland.

## 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=%E8%91%89%E8%90%BD%E6%AD%B8%E6%A0%B9)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=948&webMd=1&la=0)

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