一辈子

• Pinyin: yī bèi zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 一 = one; 辈 = 非 + 车, generation/lifetime; 子 = noun suffix

Meaning

A lifetime; one's whole life. The entire duration of a person's life from birth to death.

Often used to emphasize permanence, commitment, or long duration. Common in expressions of love, regret, or significant life decisions. Can be shortened to 一辈 in some contexts. Interchangeable with 一生 in many cases, though 一辈子 is more colloquial.

Examples

1. 他一辈子都在农村生活，从没去过大城市。 He lived in the countryside his whole life and never went to a big city.
2. 这是我一辈子都忘不了的经历。 This is an experience I'll never forget for the rest of my life.
3. 她说愿意跟他过一辈子。 She said she's willing to spend her whole life with him.

Usage Guide

Context: life reflection, commitment, everyday

Tone: emotional

Do Say

• 我这一辈子最感谢的人是我妈妈。(The person I'm most grateful to in my life is my mother.)
• 一辈子太长，谁也说不准。(A lifetime is too long — no one can say for sure.)

Don't Say

• 他活了三辈子 (辈子 is only used with 一 — use 三代人 for three generations)

Origin & History

Compound of 一 (one), 辈 (generation, lifetime), and 子 (noun suffix). Literally 'one generation/lifetime.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal