一息尚存 (yī xī shàng cún) — (idiom) so long as one still breathes; to the last breath; as long as there is life left

Definition

An idiom meaning 'as long as one still draws breath' — used to express fierce determination to keep fighting or finish something to the very end of life.

idiom
so long as one still breathesto the last breathas long as there is life left

Examples

  • 一息尚存，。
    yī xī shàng cún, Jiù jué bú fàng qì.
    As long as there is breath, I will never give up.
  • 一息尚存，。
    Tā jué xīn yī xī shàng cún, yě yào wán chéng zhè xiàng rèn wu.
    He is determined to complete this task as long as he still draws breath.
  • 一息尚存，。
    yī xī shàng cún, Fèn dòu bù zhǐ.
    As long as one breathes, one never stops struggling.

Origin

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

In 息, 自 is nose and 心 is heart, showing breath or life passing through one's nose.

Open 息 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
八八bā
Sound part声符shēngfú
向
向xiàng尚shàng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

尚 pairs 八 with 向: 八 carries the meaning, and 向 gives the sound.

Open 尚 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
子子zǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
才
才cái存cún
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

存 pairs 子 with 才, which was used for the sound.

Open 存 →

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