noun
rise and fall; vicissitudes of life
Archaic four-character compound meaning the alternating cycles of prosperity and decline. Rare in modern Japanese; mostly encountered in classical texts or literary contexts.
「一栄一落」は、人生の栄枯盛衰を表す古い言葉だ。
一栄一落 is an old expression for the ups and downs of life.
Another yojijukugo emphasizing that those who prosper must eventually decline; more widely recognized.
A yojijukugo composed of 一 (one, once) + 栄 (prosper) + 一 (one, once) + 落 (fall). The exact origin is uncertain, but it follows a classical Chinese pattern of paired contrasts.