Definitions

1. 1. lit. a falling leaf returns to the roots (idiom)
2. 2. fig. all things go back to their source eventually
3. 3. in old age, an expatriate returns home

Components

• 落叶 luò yè – dead leaves
• 归根 guī gēn – to return home (after a lifetime's absence)

Related Words

• 树高千丈，落叶归根 shù gāo qiān zhàng , luò yè guī gēn – see 樹高千丈，葉落歸根|树高千丈，叶落归根[shu4 gao1 qian1 zhang4 , ye4 luo4 gui1 gen1]