Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
生命shēngmìng(sheng1ming4)
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.
Strokes13Frequency#564DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
The concept of 生命 is deeply valued in Chinese culture, often associated with traditional beliefs about harmony in life and nature. This appreciation is reflected in practices like Traditional Chinese Medicine, which emphasizes maintaining a balance for a healthy life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a '生' (shēng) plant sprouting up from '命' (mìng) - a shining star. The plant represents life (生), and the star symbolizes destiny or fate (命). Together, they form '生命', reminding you that life is a beautiful journey guided by destiny.
Meanings of 生命
shēngmìng(sheng1ming4)
1life
2living
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 生命
生命Simplified
13Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#564Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 生命
Podcast: 生命
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 生命
Quick Contrast
生存 (shēngcún) refers specifically to the act of surviving or existing, while 生命 (shēngmìng) encompasses the broader concept of life itself.
Usage Notes
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'.
HSK Study Tips
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 生命
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 生命 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
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
生
命
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 生命 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
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.
