Chinese word

生机

Pronunciation

Pinyinshēng jī

Meaning

  • nounhope

Example

绝望中，她看见了一点生机。jué wàng zhōng tā kàn jiàn le yì diǎn shēng jī

In despair, she saw a glimmer of hope.

Illustration for 生机 (hope)

More examples

医生说病人的病情很严重，已经没有生机了。yī shēng shuō bìng rén de bìng qíng hěn yán zhòng yǐ jīng méi yǒu shēng jī le

The doctor said the patient's condition was very serious and there was no hope left.

Core concept

A living thread that remains unbroken, leaving room for a better turn after danger or hardship.

Common phrases

  • 一丝生机yì sī shēng jī

    a glimmer of hope

  • 失去生机shī qù shēng jī

    lose hope

Similar words

希望xī wàng: A feeling that the future may bring a desired result.
可能性kě néng xìng: The likelihood that a particular event will happen.
机会jī huì: A suitable moment or opening for taking action.

Definition in Chinese

在困难或危急情况下仍有挽回或恢复的可能，是重新出现希望或转机的机会。zài kùn nán huò wēi jí qíng kuàng xià réng yǒu wǎn huí huò huī fù de kě néng shì chóng xīn chū xiàn xī wàng huò zhuǎn jī de jī huì

Word origin

生 (shēng, "life") + 机 (jī, "chance") combines life with an opening, giving the word its sense of a remaining chance to continue or recover.

Usage tips

  • The word points to a real remaining prospect rather than only a private feeling of optimism, especially when improvement depends on circumstances.

Other meanings

  • vitalitynoun
  • vigornoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 生机盎然shēng jī àng ránfull of vitalityidiom

Word lists with this word