HSK · Level 27
135 words
Chinese word
寿命
Pronunciation
Pinyinshòu mìng
Meaning
- nounlifespan
Example
猫的寿命大约十五年。māo de shòu mìng dà yuē shí wǔ nián
A cat's lifespan is about fifteen years.
More examples
不健康的生活方式会缩短人的寿命。bú jiàn kāng de shēng huó fāng shì huì suō duǎn rén de shòu mìng
An unhealthy lifestyle can shorten people's lifespan.
Core concept
A bounded span belonging to a living being or a working object, with a clear endpoint.
Common phrases
延长寿命yán cháng shòu mìng
prolong lifespan
缩短寿命suō duǎn shòu mìng
shorten lifespan
自然寿命zì rán shòu mìng
natural lifespan
Similar words
生命shēng mìng: The condition of being alive, including the activities that sustain life.
年龄nián líng: The number of years that a person or thing has lived or existed since birth.
使用寿命shǐ yòng shòu mìng: The length of time a machine or product can be used while working normally.
年限nián xiàn: The number of years that something lasts or that a law or rule allows.
Definition in Chinese
生物或物件从出生或投入使用到停止存在或失去功能的时间长度。shēng wù huò wù jiàn cóng chū shēng huò tóu rù shǐ yòng dào tíng zhǐ cún zài huò shī qù gōng néng de shí jiān cháng dù
Word origin
The compound 寿命 (shòumìng, "lifespan") joins the traditional ideas of longevity and life to name the duration of an existence.
Usage tips
- The word fits ordinary conversations about animals, batteries, appliances, and other objects, so its subject can be living or manufactured.
Opposites
- 夭折yāo zhéearly deathnoun
Related words
- 使用寿命shǐ yòng shòu mìngservice lifenoun
- 平均寿命píng jūn shòu mìngaverage life expectancynoun