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再生 (zài shēng) — to be reborn (religiously or metaphorically); to regenerate; to recycle (materials); (of a famous person) a second incarnation; to appear again in another form

Definition

Two main senses: 'to regenerate' (biology, cells) and 'to recycle/reclaim' (materials), plus the figurative 'reborn.' Material recycling overlaps with 回收, but 再生 stresses regenerating or reprocessing into something usable again.

verb
to be reborn (religiously or metaphorically)to regenerateto recycle (materials)(of a famous person) a second incarnationto appear again in another form

Examples

  • 再生，。
    Zhè zhǒng zhǐ shì zài shēng zhǐ, hěn huán bǎo.
    This kind of paper is recycled paper, very environmentally friendly.
  • 再生。
    Kē xué jiā zài yán jiū pí fū xì bāo de zài shēng néng lì.
    Scientists are studying the regenerative ability of skin cells.
  • ，再生。
    Jīng lì zhè chǎng zāi nàn hòu, tā jué de zì jǐ xiàng zài shēng le yí yàng.
    After experiencing this disaster, he felt as if he had been reborn.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

再zàiagain
生shēngbirth/life

The idea of 再 (again) with 生 (birth/life) gives rebirth or regeneration.

Characters in this word

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

Open 再 →

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

生 shows 屮 (a bud) above 一 (the ground), drawing a sprout coming up from the earth.

Open 生 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6Environment & EcologyReligion & Belief

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