Meanings of 生命
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Podcast: 生命
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AI Study Notes for 生命
生存 (shēngcún) refers specifically to the act of surviving or existing, while 生命 (shēngmìng) encompasses the broader concept of life itself.
When using 生命, be aware that it typically carries a serious tone, so it’s best suited for formal discussions about health or philosophy. Common collocations include '生命科学' (life sciences) and '生命力' (vitality). Avoid confusion with '生' which can also mean 'to be born' or 'to give birth'.
As an HSK Level 4 word, 生命 connects well with other terms related to health, emotions, and existence like '健康' (health) and '幸福' (happiness). Focus on recognizing its use in both written and spoken contexts, as well as its collocations.
Learners often confuse 生命 with 生活; for instance, saying '我的生命是忙碌' (My life is busy) should be corrected to '我的生活是忙碌' (My lifestyle is busy). Additionally, avoid mispronouncing the tones, which can alter meaning.
Pronunciation of 生命
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Component Characters
How to say life in Chinese
“life” in Chinese is生命
生命 (shēngmìng) refers to life in a biological sense, encompassing the state of living organisms and the essence that distinguishes them from inanimate objects. It is commonly used in contexts related to health, existence, and vitality, often emphasizing the fragility and preciousness of life.
When to use 生命
When using 生命, be aware that it typically carries a serious tone, so it’s best suited for formal discussions about health or philosophy. Common collocations include '生命科学' (life sciences) and '生命力' (vitality). Avoid confusion with '生' which can also mean 'to be born' or 'to give birth'.
生命 or something close to it
生存 (shēngcún) refers specifically to the act of surviving or existing, while 生命 (shēngmìng) encompasses the broader concept of life itself.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 生命 with 生活; for instance, saying '我的生命是忙碌' (My life is busy) should be corrected to '我的生活是忙碌' (My lifestyle is busy). Additionally, avoid mispronouncing the tones, which can alter meaning.
Write 生命
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Practice writing 生命 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 生命
生命 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
没有水就没有____的存在。
Without water, there would be no existence of life.
Example Sentences for 生命 (10)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 生命
生命 refers specifically to the biological aspect of life, while 生活 (shēnghuó) refers to the way of life or lifestyle.
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