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一线生机 (yī xiàn shēng jī) — a slim chance of survival; a glimmer of hope (in a desperate situation)

Definition

A set phrase (成语) meaning a tiny sliver of hope in a desperate situation — often the last chance of survival. "一线" emphasizes the sliver being thin and fragile.

noun
a slim chance of survivala glimmer of hope (in a desperate situation)

Examples

  • ，一线生机。
    Zài shā mò lǐ zǒu le sān tiān, tā zhōng yú zhǎo dào le yī xiàn shēng jī.
    After walking in the desert for three days, he finally found a slim chance of survival.
  • ，一线生机。
    Suī rán gōng sī kuài yào pò chǎn le, dàn zhè cì tóu zī gěi le wǒ men yī xiàn shēng jī.
    Although the company is about to go bankrupt, this investment gives us a glimmer of hope.
  • 一线生机，。
    Yī shēng shuō tā zhǐ yǒu yī xiàn shēng jī, dàn jiā rén méi yǒu fàng qì.
    The doctor said he only had a slim chance of survival, but his family didn't give up.

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 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 線; 线 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糹Written in full as糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
泉
泉quán線xiàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 線 uses 糹 (silk/thread) to show the meaning and 泉 to suggest the sound; the simplified 线 is a later shorthand.

Open 线 →

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 →

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
木木mùtree; wood
Sound part声符shēngfú
几
几jǐ机jī
Same sound today

The left part is 木 (tree; wood), and the right part 几 gives the sound.

Open 机 →
Appears in
Idioms & Set Phrases

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