Definition
终身 (zhōng shēn) is a formal, written noun meaning 'lifelong' or 'all one's life', often used in fixed phrases like 终身大事 (marriage). It is more formal than 一辈子 (yī bèi zi, everyday speech) and contrasts with 一生 (yī shēng), which emphasizes the entire span of a lifetime from birth to death. 终生 (zhōng shēng) is a near-synonym but slightly more literary and less common.
noun
lifelongall one's life(in the phrase 终身大事) marriage (as a lifelong commitment)
Examples
- 终身。Hūnyīn shì rénshēng de zhōng shēn dàshì.Marriage is a major lifelong event in life.
- 终身。Tā juédìng zhōng shēn xuéxí xīn de yǔyán.She decided to learn a new language for life.
- 终身。Nà cì lǚxíng ràng tā zhōng shēn nánwàng.That trip made him never forget it for the rest of his life.
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