健在 (jiàn zài) — to be still living and in good health (formal, used of elderly people)

Definition

A formal written term meaning an elderly person is still living and in good health. Used in respectful or literary contexts (e.g. about a grandparent or centenarian), not in casual everyday speech.

verb
to be still living and in good health (formal, used of elderly people)

Examples

  • 健在
    Tā de fù mǔ dōu hái jiàn zài, shēn tǐ hěn hǎo.
    Both his parents are still alive and in good health.
  • 健在
    Zhè wèi bǎi suì lǎo rén jiàn zài, jīng shén hěn hǎo.
    This centenarian is still living in good health and is in high spirits.
  • 健在
    Tīng shuō nín jiā zǔ fù hái jiàn zài, zhēn shì fú qi.
    I heard your grandfather is still alive and well — that's truly a blessing.

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