生老病死 (shēng lǎo bìng sǐ) — the four inevitable stages of life: birth, aging, illness, and death; the cycle of human suffering

Definition

A set phrase for the four unavoidable stages of every human life: birth, aging, illness, and death. Used to talk about life's inevitable suffering or as a thematic subject in art and philosophy.

idiom
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 wú fǎ bì miǎn de.
    Birth, aging, illness, and death are unavoidable for everyone.
  • 生老病死
    Zhè bù diàn yǐng shēn kè dì tàn tǎo le shēng lǎo bìng sǐ de zhǔ tí.
    This film deeply explores the theme of the four stages of life.
  • 生老病死
    Miàn duì shēng lǎo bìng sǐ, tā biǎo xiàn dé fēi cháng tǎn rán.
    Facing birth, aging, illness, and death, he acted very calmly.

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