命根 (mìng gēn) — something absolutely essential to one's life or happiness; lifeblood; a beloved person; darling
Definition
命根 (mìnggēn) literally means 'life-root': something so essential you can't live without it, or a person you cherish above all. Adds an emotional, almost desperate weight that 宝贝 or 心肝 don't quite capture.
noun
something absolutely essential to one's life or happinesslifeblooda beloved persondarling
Examples
- 命根，。Zhè tái diàn nǎo shì tā de mìng gēn, méi yǒu tā jiù bù néng gōng zuò.This computer is his lifeblood; without it he can't work.
- 命根，。Nǚ ér shì tā de mìng gēn, tā shén me dōu yuàn yì wèi nǚ ér zuò.Her daughter is her darling; she would do anything for her daughter.
- 命根，。Zhè běn shū shì tā de mìng gēn, dào nǎ lǐ dōu dài zhe.This book is his lifeblood; he takes it everywhere.
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