土生土长

• Pinyin: tǔ shēng tǔ zhǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 土 = earth/local; 生 = sprout, life, born; 长 = grow, elder

Meaning

Locally born and raised; native. Someone who was born and grew up in a particular place.

An idiomatic expression emphasizing deep local roots and authentic belonging to a place. Often used to establish credibility about local knowledge or to express pride in one's hometown. Implies genuine understanding of local culture and customs.

Examples

1. 他是土生土长的北京人，对这座城市的大街小巷都了如指掌。 He's a born-and-raised Beijinger who knows every street and alley of this city like the back of his hand.
2. 作为一个土生土长的农村孩子，她深知农民的不易。 As a child born and raised in the countryside, she deeply understands the hardships farmers face.
3. 这家店的老板是土生土长的本地人，做的菜最正宗。 The owner of this restaurant is a true local, and the food here is the most authentic.

Usage Guide

Context: identity, hometown, authenticity

Tone: proud

Do Say

• 我是土生土长的上海人。(I'm a born-and-raised Shanghai native.)
• 她对家乡的感情很深，毕竟是土生土长的。(She has deep feelings for her hometown; after all, she was born and raised there.)

Don't Say

• 对移民或搬迁后才认同当地的人说'土生土长' (Don't use 土生土长 for people who moved to a place later — it specifically means born AND raised there)

Origin & History

Four-character idiom: 土 (local) + 生 (born) + 土 (local) + 长 (grow up). Literally 'locally born, locally grown,' emphasizing complete local origins.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal