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生于 (shēng yú) — to be born in/on (a time or place)

Definition

Written/formal 'to be born in/on' (a time or place). In speech, use 出生 (b. shēng) or 是在/生在 — 生于 is mainly seen in writing and biographies.

verb
to be born in/on (a time or place)

Examples

  • 生于1980。
    Tā shēng yú 1980 nián.
    He was born in 1980.
  • 生于。
    Wǒ shēng yú shàng hǎi.
    I was born in Shanghai.
  • 生于1990125。
    Tā shēng yú 1990 nián 12 yuè 5 rì.
    She was born on December 5, 1990.

Origin

Characters in this word

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 →

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

  • 一一yīflat stream of air
  • 丂丂kǎoto exhale

The old shape of 于 may have pictured an ancient wind instrument. Another explanation reads 一 as a flat stream of air and 丂 as an exhaling mark.

Open 于 →
Appears in
Life Stages & Age

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