归天 (guī tiān) — (euphemism, formal) to pass away, to die (for elderly/respectable persons)
Definition
A formal, literary euphemism for 'pass away,' used for respected elders or notable people — not for casual or sudden death. It sounds elevated and dignified, closer in tone to 逝世 than to everyday 死.
verb
(euphemism, formal) to pass awayto die (for elderly/respectable persons)
Examples
- 归天。Lǎo rén jiǔ shí duō suì shí ān xiáng dì guī tiān le.The elderly man passed away peacefully at over ninety years old.
- 归天。Cūn lǐ rén dōu shuō zhāng nǎi nai shì jī dé xiū fú cái ān xiáng guī tiān de.The villagers all say that Granny Zhang accumulated virtue and blessings, so she passed away peacefully.
- 归天。Tā bú xìng guī tiān de xiāo xi ràng quán jiā rén bēi tòng bù yǐ.The news of his unfortunate passing filled the whole family with deep grief.
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