人生
rén shēng HSK 5

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

人生有很多选择。
Rénshēng yǒu hěnduō xuǎnzé.
Life has many choices.
他的人生很幸福。
Tā de rénshēng hěn xìngfú.
His life is very happy.
人生需要不断学习。
Rénshēng xūyào bùduàn xuéxí.
Life requires continuous learning.
人生很短暂。
Rénshēng hěn duǎnzàn.
Life is very short.
人生充满挑战。
Rénshēng chōngmǎn tiǎozhàn.
Life is full of challenges.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 人 (rén) means 'person' and 生 (shēng) means 'life' or 'birth.' Think of it as 'a person's life from birth onward.' Associate it with the phrase '人生如戏' (life is like a drama) to remember its broad, narrative sense.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is used in both formal and informal contexts, common in written and spoken Chinese. It frequently appears in philosophical discussions, literature, motivational speeches, and everyday conversations about life experiences, choices, and reflections.

📖 Grammar Points

Often used as a subject or object in sentences. Common patterns include: 人生 + Verb (e.g., 人生充满挑战), Adjective + 的人生 (e.g., 幸福的人生), and 在人生中 (e.g., 在人生中学习).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 人生 often carries deep philosophical weight, influenced by Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist ideas about fate, morality, and the purpose of life. It's a common theme in poetry, proverbs, and art, reflecting on impermanence and legacy.

🔄 Similar Words

生命 (shēngmìng) means 'life' in a biological or literal sense (e.g., a living organism). 生活 (shēnghuó) means 'life' as in daily life, lifestyle, or living conditions. 人生 focuses more on the abstract, overarching journey and meaning of one's existence.

Master this word with quizzes, flashcards & more

Learn 人生 in CILI →

Related Words