Meanings of 要命
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Podcast: 要命
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AI Study Notes for 要命
要命 (yàomìng) vs 要死 (yàosǐ): use 要命 for expressions of extreme intensity or annoyance, while 要死 emphasizes a sense of extreme frustration or exasperation.
要命 can be used in informal conversations to express annoyance, e.g., '这个问题要命' (this problem is driving me crazy). Be cautious with the tone; using it in overly serious contexts can sound exaggerated or disrespectful. Common collocations include 要命的事 (life-threatening matter) and 要命的天热 (extremely hot weather).
As an HSK 6 word, 要命 connects to other expressions of intensity and emotional response, such as 非常 (very) or 太 (too). Students should practice using it in varied sentences to understand its flexibility in meaning.
Learners often misuse 要命 in formal contexts or with a positive connotation, leading to confusion. For example, saying '这个电影要命' (this movie is life-threatening) instead of using it for something annoying or bad is incorrect.
Pronunciation of 要命
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Component Characters
How to say to cause sb's death in Chinese
“to cause sb's death” in Chinese is要命
要命 (yàomìng) is a versatile expression in Mandarin that conveys a sense of something being extremely intense or serious, often to the point of being overwhelming or annoying. It can be used in both serious contexts, such as life-threatening situations, and informal contexts to describe something that's incredibly bothersome or frustrating.
When to use 要命
要命 can be used in informal conversations to express annoyance, e.g., '这个问题要命' (this problem is driving me crazy). Be cautious with the tone; using it in overly serious contexts can sound exaggerated or disrespectful. Common collocations include 要命的事 (life-threatening matter) and 要命的天热 (extremely hot weather).
要命 or something close to it
要命 (yàomìng) vs 要死 (yàosǐ): use 要命 for expressions of extreme intensity or annoyance, while 要死 emphasizes a sense of extreme frustration or exasperation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 要命 in formal contexts or with a positive connotation, leading to confusion. For example, saying '这个电影要命' (this movie is life-threatening) instead of using it for something annoying or bad is incorrect.
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Grammar Patterns of 要命
要命 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 5 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.
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他人不大，但是脾气大得____。
He's not a big person, but his temper is terrible.
Example Sentences for 要命 (10)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 要命
No, 要命 typically conveys a negative intensity, so it's not suitable for positive situations.
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