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一辈子 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
一辈子
yíbèizi
(for) a lifetime
HSK 6, m, 16 strokes, rank #1925, Hard
yíbèizi(yi2bei4zi5)yi bei zi T1
1(for) a lifetime
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March 24, 2026
一辈子(一輩子)yíbèizi(yi2bei4zi5)
一辈子 (yī bèi zi) refers to the duration of a person's entire life or a significant period within it. It is often used to express commitment or longevity in relationships, careers, or personal endeavors, and conveys a sense of permanence and seriousness.
Strokes16Frequency#1925DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 一辈子 is often tied to family values and lifelong commitments, such as marriage. The idea of dedicating one's life to family or a profession is highly regarded.
Memory tip
Imagine a life-long journey on a straight path (一) that stretches through time (辈). Picture carrying a suitcase (子) filled with memories collected along the way, emphasizing that all these experiences last your entire life.
Meanings of 一辈子
yíbèizi(yi2bei4zi5)
1(for) a lifetime
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 一辈子
一辈子Simplified
一輩子Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#1925Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 一辈子
Podcast: 一辈子
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AI study notes for 一辈子
Quick Contrast
一生 (yīshēng) - use 一辈子 (yíbèizi) for emphasis on commitment or duration in a specific context, whereas 一生 (yīshēng) is more general for 'lifetime'.
Usage Notes
When using 一辈子, be mindful of the context; it is typically used in informal settings but can also appear in more serious discussions. Common collocations include '爱一辈子' (love for a lifetime) and '工作一辈子' (work for a lifetime). Avoid mixing it with short-term contexts.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 一辈子 connects well with other time-related vocabulary. Students should focus on its usage in different contexts and how it interacts with verbs to express lifelong commitments or actions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 一辈子 with shorter expressions like 一年 (one year), leading to incorrect phrases like '我爱她一年' (I love her for one year) instead of '我爱她一辈子' (I love her for a lifetime). Remember that 一辈子 signifies a lifelong commitment.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 一辈子
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一辈子 (yī bèi zi) refers to the duration of a person's entire life or a significant period within it. It is often used to express commitment or longevity in relationships, careers, or personal endeavors, and conveys a sense of permanence and seriousness.
When to use 一辈子
When using 一辈子, be mindful of the context; it is typically used in informal settings but can also appear in more serious discussions. Common collocations include '爱一辈子' (love for a lifetime) and '工作一辈子' (work for a lifetime). Avoid mixing it with short-term contexts.
一辈子 or something close to it
一生 (yīshēng) - use 一辈子 (yíbèizi) for emphasis on commitment or duration in a specific context, whereas 一生 (yīshēng) is more general for 'lifetime'.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 一辈子 with shorter expressions like 一年 (one year), leading to incorrect phrases like '我爱她一年' (I love her for one year) instead of '我爱她一辈子' (I love her for a lifetime). Remember that 一辈子 signifies a lifelong commitment.
Write 一辈子
一
辈
子
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Grammar patterns of 一辈子
一辈子 functions as a number. It almost always combines with a measure word before a noun (三个人, 五本书). Standalone numbers are rare outside of math or counting. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
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Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
