栄えい枯こ盛せい衰すい

noun

ups and downs of life; vicissitudes of fortune

A yojijukugo (four-character idiom) expressing the rise and fall of all things, especially human affairs and fortunes. Often used in reflective or literary contexts.

• 栄えい枯こ盛せい衰すいは世よの習ならいだ。

  The ups and downs of life are the way of the world.

• 歴れき史しを振ふり返かえると、栄えい枯こ盛せい衰すいの繰くり返かえしに気きづく。

  Looking back at history, one notices the repeated vicissitudes of fortune.