Chinese word

一生

Pronunciation

Pinyinyī shēng

Meaning

  • nounwhole life

Example

他把一生都献给了音乐。tā bǎ yì shēng dōu xiàn gěi le yīn yuè

He devoted his whole life to music.

Illustration for 一生 (whole life)

More examples

他们是一生的朋友。tā men shì yì shēng de péng yǒu

They are lifelong friends.

Core concept

A whole lifetime seen as one continuous stretch that can contain a lasting action, feeling, or state.

Common phrases

  • 一生都yì shēng dōu

    all one's life

  • 一生的朋友yì shēng de péng yǒu

    lifelong friend

Similar words

一辈子yí bèi zi: A person's whole lifetime, expressed strongly in ordinary conversation.
终身zhōng shēn: A person's whole lifetime in formal settings, especially for a lifelong status, duty, or commitment.

Definition in Chinese

常用于口语表示整个一生或强调持续性，能表达终身不变的状态，近义词包括“一辈子”。cháng yòng yú kóu yǔ biǎo shì zhěng gè yì shēng huò qiáng diào chí xù xìng néng biǎo dá zhōng shēn bú biàn de zhuàng tài jìn yì cí bāo kuò yí bèi zi

Word origin

一 (yī, "one") + 生 (shēng, "life") forms a compact expression for the whole period in which a person lives.

Usage tips

  • The word often gives personal statements extra weight, so a choice or feeling described with it sounds much more lasting than one limited to the present.

Other meanings

  • for lifeadverb

Word lists with this word