Definition

1. Noun:
   • The school of life: A metaphorical term referring to life itself, considered as a place or process of practical education where one gains experience, wisdom, and skills through real-world challenges, hardships, and events, rather than through formal academic study.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh ấy học được nhiều bài học quý giá từ trường đời. (He learned many valuable lessons from the school of life.)
  • Trường đời dạy cho cô ấy sự kiên cường. (The school of life taught her resilience.)
  • Những trải nghiệm thực tế là giáo dục tốt nhất từ trường đời. (Practical experiences are the best education from the school of life.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used to contrast practical, experiential knowledge with theoretical, academic knowledge.
  • Đừng chỉ dựa vào sách vở, hãy bước ra và học từ trường đời. (Don't rely solely on books; go out and learn from the school of life.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trường học (n): school (the literal, institutional meaning).
• Bài học cuộc sống (n): life lesson.

Synonyms

• The university of life: A similar English idiom with an identical metaphorical meaning.
• Life experience: The knowledge or practical wisdom gained from living.
• The real world: Used to describe life outside of sheltered or academic environments.

Related Idioms

• Đi một ngày đàng, học một sàng khôn: Literally "travel a day's road, learn a basketful of wisdom." This Vietnamese proverb emphasizes learning from the experiences and exposure gained through travel and engagement with the world, closely related to the concept of "trường đời."