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一生

yīshēng

life

Usage note

一生表示人的一辈子。

yì shēng biǎo shì rén de yí bèi zi。

一生 means a person's whole lifetime.

Context note

一生常用于回忆、愿望和人生。

yì shēng cháng yòng yú huí yì 、 yuàn wàng hé rén shēng。

一生 is often used with memory, wishes, and life.

5 examples

这是他一生的梦想。
zhè shì tā yì shēng de mèng xiǎng。
This is his lifelong dream.
一生都很努力。
tā yì shēng dōu hěn nǔ lì。
She worked hard all her life.
这件事让我一生难忘。
zhè jiàn shì ràng wǒ yì shēng nán wàng。
This matter is unforgettable for my whole life.
一生都在学习。
tā yì shēng dōu zài xué xí。
He studied all his life.
一生只有一次。
yì shēng zhǐ yǒu yí cì。
Once in a lifetime.

5 mini stories

这是一生中很重要的一天。
zhè shì yì shēng zhōng hěn zhòng yào de yì tiān。
This is a very important day in a lifetime.
他把一生都献给了教育。
tā bǎ yì shēng dōu xiàn gěi le jiào yù。
He devoted his whole life to education.
她说一生最重要的是家人。
tā shuō yì shēng zuì zhòng yào de shì jiā rén。
She said the most important thing in life is family.
这次旅行让我一生难忘。
zhè cì lǚ xíng ràng wǒ yì shēng nán wàng。
This trip was unforgettable for my whole life.
一生中会遇到很多人。
yì shēng zhōng huì yù dào hěn duō rén。
You meet many people in a lifetime.

Mini dialogue

一生的梦想

A
一生的梦想是什么?
Nǐ yīshēng de mèngxiǎng shì shénme?
What is your lifelong dream?
B
一生都想帮助别人。
Wǒ yīshēng dōu xiǎng bāngzhù biérén.
I want to help others my whole life.

奶奶的一生

A
奶奶的一生很幸福。
Nǎinai de yīshēng hěn xìngfú.
Grandma's life has been very happy.
B
是的,她一生都爱笑。
Shì de, tā yīshēng dōu ài xiào.
Yes, she has loved to smile all her life.

Related words and contrasts

similar
一辈子
yī bèi zi
a lifetime

informal, spoken

similar
终生
zhōng shēng
whole life

more formal

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