Definition
生老病死 is a four-character set phrase that encapsulates the four unavoidable stages of human life: birth, aging, illness, and death. It originates from Buddhist thought (the four sufferings) but is now used in everyday Chinese to refer broadly to the natural cycle of life and the hardships that come with it. You'll often hear it in philosophical or reflective contexts, or when discussing the inevitability of life's challenges.
f.e.
the four inevitable stages of life: birthagingillnessand deaththe cycle of human suffering
Examples
- 生老病死。shēng lǎo bìng sǐ shì měi gè rén dōu wúfǎ bìmiǎn de.Birth, aging, illness, and death are unavoidable for everyone.
- 生老病死。Zhè bù diànyǐng shēnkè de tàntǎo le shēng lǎo bìng sǐ de zhǔtí.This film deeply explores the theme of the four stages of life.
- 生老病死，。Miànduì shēng lǎo bìng sǐ, tā biǎoxiàn de fēicháng tǎnrán.Facing birth, aging, illness, and death, he acted very calmly.
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