verb · the act or desire of an expatriate or someone living away from home to return to their birthplace in their old age

他在海外生活了半辈子，最后还是决定落叶归根，回到故乡养老。

expression · the philosophical concept that all things eventually return to their original source or place of origin

宇宙万物都有其运行规律，终究会落叶归根。

verb · falling leaves return to their roots; returning to one's origins (especially in old age); Getting Home (2007 film directed by Zhang Yang)

许多老华侨不论身在何处，总想着要落叶归根。