生死

• Pinyin: shēng sǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 生 = 生 (life, growth); 死 = 歹 + 匕 (death)

Meaning

Life and death; a matter of life or death. As a modifier, vital, critical, or desperate.

Used for situations involving ultimate stakes, mortal danger, or existential choices. Common in dramatic contexts, medical emergencies, and philosophical discussions about mortality.

Examples

1. 这是一场生死攸关的手术。 This is a life-or-death surgery.
2. 战友之间结下了生死之交。 They formed a bond forged through life and death.
3. 他在生死关头表现出非凡的勇气。 He showed extraordinary courage at a life-or-death moment.

Usage Guide

Context: emergencies, literature, philosophy

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 医生们正在进行一场生死营救。(The doctors are conducting a life-or-death rescue.)
• 他们是出生入死的战友。(They are comrades who have faced death together.)

Don't Say

• 这个考试是生死问题 — too dramatic; use 重要 or 关键 for important exams

Origin & History

生 (life) + 死 (death)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal