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B1 noun #3,200 most common 11 min read

寿命

shouming Top 3,200

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 寿命 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 寿命 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 寿命 (shòumìng) often, but it's good to recognize it. Think of it as 'how many years' something lives. You already know words like 'year' (年 nián) and 'live' (住 zhù or 生活 shēnghuó). 寿命 is a more formal way to say 'life length.' For example, if you see a picture of a turtle, a teacher might say it has a 'long 寿命' (long life). At this stage, just remember that 'shòu' sounds like the word for 'thin' (瘦), but it means 'long life' here. You might see it on traditional Chinese decorations because '寿' is a lucky character. When you see a red symbol on a wall at a Chinese restaurant, it often means 'longevity.' So, 寿命 is the 'measurement' of that longevity. Just think: 寿命 = Life Time.

At the A2 level, you can start using 寿命 (shòumìng) to talk about animals and simple objects. You know that 寿命 means 'lifespan.' You can use it in simple sentences like 'Dogs have a short 寿命' (狗的寿命很短 Gǒu de shòumìng hěn duǎn) or 'This phone's 寿命 is two years.' It's important to differentiate it from 'birthday' (生日) and 'daily life' (生活). Remember, 寿命 is a noun. You can't say 'I 寿命 80 years.' You must say 'My 寿命 is 80 years' or 'I can live for 80 years.' You will also start to see the character 寿 in words like 'sushi' (寿司 shòusī) in Japanese-influenced Chinese, but don't get confused—that's a different meaning! Focus on 寿命 as a way to describe how long things last.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 寿命 (shòumìng) in various contexts, including health, technology, and nature. This is the level where you learn that 寿命 isn't just for people; it's for batteries, cars, and lightbulbs too. You should start using common verbs with it, such as 延长 (yánzháng - to lengthen) and 缩短 (suōduǎn - to shorten). For example, 'Healthy food can 延长寿命.' You will also encounter the term 'average lifespan' (平均寿命 píngjūn shòumìng) in news articles or school texts. This word is very useful for comparing things. If you are describing a product in a presentation, you might say its '使用寿命' (service life) is very long. This makes your Chinese sound more professional and precise than just saying 'it can use for a long time.'

At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance between 寿命 (shòumìng) and related terms like 生命 (shēngmìng) and 寿限 (shòuxiàn). You should be able to discuss abstract concepts like 'the lifespan of a company' or 'the lifespan of a political movement.' At this level, you will encounter the word in more complex grammatical structures, such as '以...为寿命' or in discussions about '预期寿命' (life expectancy). You should also be aware of the cultural significance of the character 寿 and how it's used in idioms. You might use it in an essay about environmental protection, discussing how pollution '缩短了人类的寿命.' Your ability to use 寿命 in technical or academic contexts—like discussing the 'lifespan of a star' in a science report—is a key marker of this level.

At the C1 level, you use 寿命 (shòumìng) with high precision and stylistic variety. You understand its use in classical-sounding phrases and formal reports. You might discuss '健康寿命' (healthy life expectancy) versus '生理寿命' (biological lifespan) in a debate about healthcare policy. You are familiar with literary alternatives like '年寿' or '寿数.' You can use the word metaphorically to describe the 'shelf life' of an idea or the 'operational life' of a complex satellite system. You also understand the subtle social rules: you know that while 寿命 is a scientific term, using it to talk about an elderly person's remaining time can sound cold, so you opt for more respectful language like '高寿.' You can read academic papers that analyze the factors affecting '人均预期寿命' without difficulty.

At the C2 level, 寿命 (shòumìng) is a tool you use to navigate the most complex linguistic terrains. You can appreciate the word's history, from its roots in ancient texts to its modern application in quantum physics (e.g., the 'lifespan' of a subatomic particle). You can use it in high-level creative writing to personify inanimate objects or to philosophize about the '寿命' of the universe itself. You understand the etymological connection between 寿 and other characters in the 'long life' family. You can switch effortlessly between the clinical use of the word in a medical journal and its use in a traditional '寿词' (congratulatory speech for an elder). You are also sensitive to the word's appearance in various dialects and how its pronunciation or usage might shift slightly in different Chinese-speaking regions.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

寿命 in 30 Seconds

寿命 (shòumìng) means 'lifespan' or 'service life' for both living and non-living things.
It is a noun that focuses on the measurement of time, not the experience of living.
Commonly used in health (average lifespan) and technology (battery life) contexts.
Pair it with verbs like 'prolong' (延长) or 'shorten' (缩短) for natural sentences.

The Chinese word 寿命 (shòumìng) is a foundational term used to describe the duration or span of existence for both biological entities and inanimate objects. At its core, it translates to 'lifespan' or 'longevity.' Unlike the general word for 'life' (生命 shēngmìng), which refers to the state of being alive or the essence of life itself, 寿命 is specifically concerned with the measurement of time from beginning to end. When you discuss how long a person is expected to live, how many years a turtle can survive, or even how long a smartphone battery will last before it fails, you are talking about 寿命.

Biological Context: In biology and medicine, this word refers to the natural life cycle. It is frequently paired with the word 'average' (平均 píngjūn) to discuss 'average life expectancy' (平均寿命). For example, researchers might say that improvements in healthcare have significantly extended the human 寿命. It carries a sense of a predetermined or natural limit that can be influenced by external factors like diet, environment, and genetics.
Mechanical and Technical Context: Interestingly, Chinese speakers use 寿命 for machines and technology just as naturally as they do for people. If a lightbulb burns out after two years, you would say its 寿命 has ended. In engineering, 'fatigue life' or 'service life' is often translated using this term. This highlights a conceptual bridge in Chinese thought where machines are viewed as having a 'life' of functional utility.

随着医疗技术的进步，人类的平均寿命正在不断延长。
(With the advancement of medical technology, the average human lifespan is continuously extending.)

The word is composed of two characters: 寿 (shòu), which means 'longevity' or 'old age,' and 命 (mìng), which means 'life' or 'fate.' Historically, 寿 was one of the most auspicious symbols in Chinese culture, representing one of the 'Five Blessings' (五福). It appears on traditional clothing, furniture, and architecture as a wish for a long life. Therefore, while 寿命 is a neutral technical term today, it carries a deep cultural resonance of respect for the passage of time and the preservation of vitality.

频繁的快速充电可能会缩短手机电池的使用寿命。
(Frequent fast charging may shorten the service life of mobile phone batteries.)

In modern professional settings, particularly in the fields of insurance, public health, and manufacturing, 寿命 is indispensable. It is a word that bridges the gap between the poetic appreciation of a long life and the cold, hard data of actuarial tables and product warranties. Understanding this word requires recognizing that it is essentially a temporal container—it defines the duration of an entity's existence from its inception to its inevitable conclusion.

Common Verbs used with 寿命: 1. 延长 (yánzháng) - to prolong/extend.
2. 缩短 (suōduǎn) - to shorten.
3. 达到 (dádào) - to reach (a certain age).
4. 耗尽 (hàojìn) - to exhaust/use up.

Using 寿命 correctly involves understanding its role as a noun that measures time. It rarely acts as a verb. Instead, it is almost always the object or subject of a sentence describing change, limits, or comparisons. To master its usage, you must pair it with appropriate modifiers and verbs that describe temporal dynamics.

这种材料的耐腐蚀性极强，可以显著提高建筑物的寿命。
(This material has excellent corrosion resistance and can significantly increase the lifespan of buildings.)

In the sentence above, 寿命 is used in a technical context. Notice how 'increase' is translated as 提高 (tígāo) or 延长 (yánzháng). In Chinese, when we talk about making a lifespan longer, we use verbs that imply stretching (延) or raising (提). Conversely, when something causes a lifespan to be shorter, we use 缩短 (suōduǎn).

Sentence Pattern: Subject + 的 + 寿命 + 很/非常 + 长/短: This is the simplest way to describe a lifespan.
Example: 这种狗的寿命很短。 (The lifespan of this kind of dog is very short.)
Example: 乌龟的寿命非常长。 (Turtles have a very long lifespan.)
Sentence Pattern: Verb + 寿命: Commonly used in scientific or medical contexts.
Example: 良好的饮食习惯能延长寿命。 (Good eating habits can prolong life.)
Example: 长期压力会缩短寿命。 (Long-term stress will shorten lifespan.)

When discussing machines, the phrase 使用寿命 (shǐyòng shòumìng) is a very common fixed collocation. It translates literally to 'use lifespan' but means 'service life' or 'working life.' If you are writing a product review or a technical manual in Chinese, this is the term you will use most frequently.

如果不定期保养，汽车的寿命会大大减少。
(If not maintained regularly, the lifespan of the car will be greatly reduced.)

In formal writing, you might encounter 寿命 in the context of 'expected lifespan' or 'design life.' For example, 预期寿命 (yùqī shòumìng) is the standard term for life expectancy in demographic reports. If you are discussing the history of a dynasty, you might say 这个王朝的寿命只有五十年 (The lifespan of this dynasty was only fifty years), treating the political entity as a living organism with a finite duration.

科学家的目标是发现人类寿命的极限。
(The goal of scientists is to discover the limits of human lifespan.)

Lastly, consider the tone. 寿命 is objective. If you want to be emotional or poetic about someone's life, you might use 一生 (yīshēng - a whole life) or 余生 (yúshēng - the rest of one's life). 寿命 remains the choice for factual, scientific, and descriptive statements about time spans.

In a Chinese-speaking environment, you will encounter 寿命 in several distinct scenarios, ranging from daily chores to high-level scientific discourse. It is a word that appears in newspapers, on television, and in conversations about health and technology. Understanding these contexts helps you recognize the word's 'vibe' in real-world settings.

1. The Doctor's Office or Health News: You will often hear this word in discussions about longevity. News segments might report on 'Blue Zones' where people have an unusually long 寿命. A doctor might explain how chronic diseases like diabetes can impact one's 'healthy lifespan' (健康寿命), a modern term focusing not just on living long, but living well.
2. Electronics and Appliance Stores: When buying a refrigerator, a laptop, or a car, the salesperson will likely mention the 使用寿命. They might say, 'This motor is high-quality and will significantly extend the machine's 寿命.' If you complain to a repairman that your phone is dying quickly, they might respond, 'The battery's 寿命 is almost up; it's time for a replacement.'

这种新型LED灯泡的寿命是普通灯泡的十倍。
(The lifespan of this new type of LED bulb is ten times that of a regular bulb.)

In the realm of environmentalism, 寿命 is used to discuss the sustainability of products. Discussion about 'planned obsolescence' often centers around the idea that manufacturers intentionally shorten the 产品寿命 (product lifespan) to force consumers to buy more. You'll hear this in podcasts or read it in social media critiques of modern consumerism.

Another place you'll hear it is in nature documentaries. Narrators often compare the 寿命 of different animals. For example, 'The mayfly's 寿命 is only one day, while the bowhead whale can live for over two hundred years.' These comparisons are a staple of educational content in Chinese.

即使是恒星也有它们的寿命，最终都会熄灭。
(Even stars have their lifespans and will eventually go out.)

Finally, in workplace settings, specifically in project management or software development, people might talk about the 软件寿命 (software life cycle) or the 项目寿命. This refers to how long a particular system or initiative remains relevant and functional before it is retired or replaced. It shows that 寿命 is a versatile word for anything that has a beginning and an end.

Learning 寿命 can be tricky because English speakers often want to use it wherever they would use the word 'life.' However, in Chinese, the boundaries between 'span of life,' 'essence of life,' and 'daily life' are strictly demarcated by different words. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid.

Mistake 1: Using 寿命 for 'Daily Life': In English, we say 'My life is busy.' In Chinese, you cannot say 我的寿命很忙. This would literally mean 'The duration of my existence is busy,' which makes no sense. For daily life, use 生活 (shēnghuó).
Wrong: 我的寿命很快乐。
Right: 我的生活很快乐。
Mistake 2: Confusing 寿命 with 生命 (shēngmìng): 生命 refers to the biological state of being alive or 'life' as a precious gift. 寿命 is just the number of years. You 'save a life' (救人一命 or 拯救生命), you don't 'save a lifespan.'
Wrong: 医生救了他的寿命。
Right: 医生救了他的生命。

不要把寿命和生活混为一谈。
(Don't confuse lifespan with daily life.)

Another mistake involves the verbs used with 寿命. English speakers might say 'He has a long life.' In Chinese, while 他有很长的寿命 is grammatically correct, it sounds slightly stiff or 'translated.' A more natural way to say someone is long-lived is 他很长寿 (tā hěn chángshòu), using 'long-life' as an adjective.

A subtle mistake occurs in formal greetings. If you are at a birthday party for an elderly person, saying 'I wish you a long 寿命' (祝你寿命很长) is a bit clinical and awkward. Instead, use traditional idioms like 长命百岁 (chángmìng bǎisuì - live to a hundred) or 福如东海，寿比南山. 寿命 is a description, not a blessing.

这台电脑已经到了它的寿命终点。
(This computer has reached the end of its lifespan.)

Finally, be careful with the word 'short.' If you want to say something has a short life, 寿命短 is perfect. But if you want to say someone died young, you usually use 夭折 (yāozhé) or 年纪轻轻就去世了. Using 寿命短 for a person who died tragically young can sound a bit detached, like you are discussing a biological statistic rather than a person.

To truly master 寿命, you must see how it sits within a family of related terms. Chinese has several words for 'life' and 'time,' and choosing the right one depends on whether you are being scientific, poetic, or practical.

寿命 vs. 生命 (shēngmìng): 寿命 is the quantity (how long). 生命 is the quality/existence (the fact of being alive). You protect 生命; you measure 寿命.
寿命 vs. 生活 (shēnghuó): 生活 is 'daily life' or 'lifestyle.' It refers to the activities you do while alive (eating, working, sleeping). You can have a 'happy 生活,' but not a 'happy 寿命.'
寿命 vs. 寿限 (shòuxiàn): 寿限 specifically refers to the limit or 'allotted' time of life. It is more formal and often implies a fated or predetermined end. 寿命 is the more general and common term.

虽然他的寿命不长，但他的生命非常有意义。
(Although his lifespan was not long, his life was very meaningful.)

In the context of machines, you might also hear 使用年限 (shǐyòng niánxiàn). This specifically refers to the 'number of years of use.' While 寿命 can be used for machines, 使用年限 is more common in accounting, real estate (like the 70-year land use right in China), and official regulations. For example, a car might have a 报废年限 (years until it must be scrapped).

Another interesting alternative is 年寿 (niánshòu), which is a very formal, literary term for a person's age at death. You might see this in biographies or historical texts. For example, 年寿八十 (died at the age of eighty). This is much more elevated than the standard 寿命.

我们要延长的是健康寿命，而不仅仅是生理寿命。
(What we want to extend is healthy lifespan, not just biological lifespan.)

To summarize, use 寿命 when you are thinking about the clock—the years, months, and days an entity exists. Use 生命 when you think about the spark, and 生活 when you think about the experience. Mastering these distinctions will make your Chinese sound precise and sophisticated.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, the character 寿 was so popular that it was often written in 100 different calligraphic styles, known as the 'Hundred Longevity Chart' (百寿图).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃoʊ.mɪŋ/

US /ʃoʊ.mɪŋ/

Both syllables carry a 4th tone (falling), so they are both stressed equally and sharply.

Rhymes With

厚 (hòu) 够 (gòu) 后 (hòu) 令 (lìng) 定 (dìng) 净 (jìng) 病 (bìng) 庆 (qìng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'shou' as first tone (shōu), which means 'to receive'.
Pronouncing 'ming' as second tone (míng), which is 'name' or 'bright'.
Confusing 'shou' with 'shuo' (to speak).
Failing to make the falling tone sharp enough, making it sound like a question.
Vocalizing the 'u' in 'shou' too much like a French 'u'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are somewhat complex but very common.

Writing 4/5

The character '寿' has many strokes and requires practice.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward with two 4th tones.

Listening 3/5

Easily confused with other 'shou' or 'ming' words if the tone isn't clear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

岁年生活生命长

Learn Next

健康医疗平均延长缩短

Advanced

寿数夭折长寿预期机制

Grammar to Know

Using '的' to show possession with abstract nouns.

电池的寿命 (Battery's lifespan).

Using '可以' or '能' to express potential for extension.

运动可以延长寿命。

Resultative complements with lifespan verbs.

寿命缩短了。

Measure words with time duration following 寿命.

寿命是八十年。

Using '最' for superlative comparisons of lifespan.

寿命最长的树。

Examples by Level

猫的寿命长吗？

Is a cat's lifespan long?

Simple subject + 的 + 寿命 + adjective.

爷爷的寿命很长。

Grandpa has a long lifespan.

Using 寿命 to describe a person's age.

这只鸟的寿命是十年。

This bird's lifespan is ten years.

Subject + 是 + time duration.

我的手机寿命不长。

My phone's lifespan is not long.

寿命 used for an object.

什么动物寿命最长？

Which animal has the longest lifespan?

Using '最' (most) with 寿命.

水的寿命是多少？

What is the lifespan of water? (Metaphorical/Simple)

寿命 can be used for anything that 'lasts'.

这里的树寿命都很长。

The trees here all have long lifespans.

Plural subject + 都 + adjective.

他想有长寿命。

He wants to have a long lifespan.

Object of the verb '想有'.

这种电池的寿命只有三个月。

This battery's lifespan is only three months.

Using '只有' (only) to emphasize a short duration.

运动可以延长你的寿命。

Exercise can prolong your lifespan.

Verb '延长' (prolong) + 寿命.

乌龟的寿命比兔子的长。

A turtle's lifespan is longer than a rabbit's.

Comparison structure: A + 的寿命 + 比 + B + (的) + 长.

这台电脑的使用寿命快到了。

The service life of this computer is almost up.

Using '使用寿命' (service life).

为什么人类的寿命变长了？

Why has the human lifespan become longer?

Verb '变' (become) + adjective.

这种花的寿命很短，只有几天。

This flower's lifespan is very short, only a few days.

Describing biological duration.

我们要保护动物的寿命。

We need to protect the lifespans of animals.

Using 寿命 as the object of '保护'.

他的寿命还没结束。

His lifespan hasn't ended yet.

Using '结束' (end) with 寿命.

现代人的平均寿命已经超过了八十岁。

The average lifespan of modern people has exceeded eighty years.

Using '平均寿命' (average lifespan) and '超过' (exceed).

抽烟会严重缩短一个人的寿命。

Smoking will seriously shorten a person's lifespan.

Verb '缩短' (shorten) + 寿命.

良好的心态是长寿命的关键。

A good state of mind is the key to a long lifespan.

Subject is '良好的心态', complement is '关键'.

这款发动机的设计寿命是二十年。

The design life of this engine is twenty years.

Using '设计寿命' (design life).

科学家正在研究如何延长细胞的寿命。

Scientists are studying how to extend the lifespan of cells.

寿命 in a biological/scientific context.

如果不好好保养，机器的寿命会减少。

If not maintained well, the machine's lifespan will decrease.

Conditional '如果...会...'.

这种昆虫的寿命虽然短暂，但很有趣。

Although this insect's lifespan is brief, it is very interesting.

Contrast '虽然...但...'.

你如何计算一个产品的经济寿命？

How do you calculate the economic life of a product?

Using '经济寿命' (economic life).

环境污染对人类寿命的影响不容忽视。

The impact of environmental pollution on human lifespan cannot be ignored.

Structure: '对...的影响' (the impact on...).

这个王朝的寿命仅仅维持了三十年。

The lifespan of this dynasty only lasted for thirty years.

寿命 used metaphorically for a political entity.

我们应该追求健康寿命，而非单纯的长寿。

We should pursue healthy lifespan, rather than just simple longevity.

Contrast '而非' (rather than).

频繁的充放电会影响锂电池的使用寿命。

Frequent charging and discharging will affect the service life of lithium batteries.

Technical terminology '充放电' and '锂电池'.

基因工程可能会在未来极大延长人类寿命。

Genetic engineering might greatly extend human lifespan in the future.

Using '极大' (greatly) to modify '延长'.

这部法律的寿命取决于社会的发展。

The lifespan of this law depends on the development of society.

寿命 used for abstract social constructs.

统计数据显示，女性的平均寿命通常高于男性。

Statistical data shows that the average lifespan of women is usually higher than that of men.

Using '高于' (higher than) in a formal context.

这种材料能有效延长桥梁的疲劳寿命。

This material can effectively extend the fatigue life of bridges.

Technical term '疲劳寿命' (fatigue life).

人均预期寿命是衡量一个国家发展水平的重要指标。

Average life expectancy is an important indicator for measuring a country's development level.

Complex noun phrase '人均预期寿命' (per capita life expectancy).

由于缺乏维护，这个老旧项目的寿命已接近终点。

Due to a lack of maintenance, the lifespan of this old project is nearing its end.

Clause beginning with '由于' (due to).

我们要探讨的是在有限的寿命里如何创造无限的价值。

What we want to explore is how to create infinite value within a finite lifespan.

Philosophical contrast '有限' (finite) vs '无限' (infinite).

这项技术的寿命可能比我们预想的要短得多。

The lifespan of this technology might be much shorter than we anticipated.

Structure '比...要...得多' (much ... than ...).

该星系的寿命预计将持续数十亿年。

The lifespan of the galaxy is expected to last for billions of years.

Scientific register: '预计将持续' (is expected to last).

通过优化算法，我们可以大幅度延长系统的寿命。

By optimizing the algorithm, we can significantly extend the system's lifespan.

Using '通过...可以...' (by ... can ...).

这一政策的寿命在很大程度上取决于民意的支持。

The lifespan of this policy depends largely on the support of public opinion.

Abstract usage: '在很大程度上取决于' (depends to a large extent on).

他毕生致力于研究延长人类寿命的生物学机制。

He dedicated his whole life to studying the biological mechanisms for extending human lifespan.

Formal verb '致力于' (dedicated to).

在宇宙的宏大尺度下，人类的寿命不过是沧海一粟。

On the grand scale of the universe, the human lifespan is but a drop in the ocean.

Using the idiom '沧海一粟' (a drop in the ocean).

这种精密仪器的校准寿命极其有限，需谨慎操作。

The calibration life of this precision instrument is extremely limited and requires careful operation.

Technical term '校准寿命' (calibration life).

纵观历史，文明的寿命往往与其对资源的管理能力息息相关。

Throughout history, the lifespan of a civilization is often closely related to its ability to manage resources.

Using '纵观历史' (looking back through history) and '息息相关' (closely related).

我们要警惕那些为了短期利益而牺牲产品长期寿命的行为。

We should be wary of behaviors that sacrifice the long-term lifespan of a product for short-term gains.

Complex structure involving '为了...而...'.

该文学流派的寿命虽然短暂，却对后世产生了深远影响。

Although the lifespan of this literary school was brief, it had a profound impact on later generations.

Formal use of '却' (but/yet) and '深远影响' (profound impact).

量子纠缠态的寿命是实现量子计算的关键瓶颈之一。

The lifespan of quantum entangled states is one of the key bottlenecks in achieving quantum computing.

Scientific term '量子纠缠态' (quantum entangled state).

诗人通过描写残荷，隐喻了生命乃至万物寿命的终结。

By depicting withered lotuses, the poet metaphorically describes the end of life and the lifespan of all things.

Literary analysis: '隐喻' (metaphor) and '乃至' (and even).

提高国民的健康寿命已成为我国公共卫生领域的当务之急。

Improving the healthy lifespan of citizens has become an urgent priority in our country's public health sector.

Using the idiom '当务之急' (urgent priority).

Synonyms

年寿生平生存期

Antonyms

夭折

Common Collocations

平均寿命

延长寿命

缩短寿命

使用寿命

预期寿命

设计寿命

健康寿命

电池寿命

达到寿命

寿命极限

Common Phrases

长命百岁

— A wish for someone to live to a hundred years old.

祝奶奶长命百岁！

寿命将尽

— Life or service life is about to end.

这棵老树寿命将尽。

延年益寿

— To prolong life and increase longevity (often through health products).

这种草药有延年益寿的功效。

长寿面

— Longevity noodles eaten on birthdays.

过生日一定要吃长寿面。

福寿双全

— Having both happiness and longevity.

愿您福寿双全。

高寿

— A respectful way to ask or state an elderly person's age.

请问老人家高寿？

寿终正寝

— To die peacefully of old age in one's own bed.

老人家最后寿终正寝，走得很安详。

折寿

— To shorten one's life (often used as a figure of speech for something stressful or shocking).

你这样做真是让我折寿啊！

万寿无疆

— Boundless longevity (historically used for emperors).

祝皇上万寿无疆。

寿比南山

— May your life be as long as Mount Zhongnan.

祝您福如东海，寿比南山。

Often Confused With

寿命 vs 生命

Refers to the state of being alive, not the duration.

寿命 vs 生活

Refers to daily activities and lifestyle.

寿命 vs 生日

Refers to the specific day of birth.

Idioms & Expressions

"福如东海，寿比南山"

— Wishing someone happiness as vast as the sea and life as long as the mountains.

祝您福如东海，寿比南山。

Formal/Greeting

"长命百岁"

— May you live to a hundred.

过年时，孩子们祝长辈长命百岁。

Informal/Greeting

"寿终正寝"

— To die of old age in one's bed; a natural death.

他活了一百岁，最后寿终正寝。

Formal

"延年益寿"

— Prolonging life and improving health.

这种锻炼方法可以延年益寿。

Health/Marketing

"人寿年丰"

— People live long and the harvest is bountiful; a sign of prosperity.

在这个人寿年丰的时代，大家都过得很幸福。

Literary

"松鹤延年"

— The pine and the crane represent longevity; used in art and wishes.

这幅画的寓意是松鹤延年。

Artistic/Formal

"长寿富贵"

— Long life and wealth.

人们常在剪纸中表现长寿富贵的主题。

Traditional

"万寿无疆"

— Ten thousand years of life without limit.

古代大臣常祝皇帝万寿无疆。

Archaic/Historical

"百岁之寿"

— A life of a hundred years.

他终于达到了百岁之寿。

Formal

"龟鹤遐寿"

— Longevity like that of a turtle or a crane.

古人常以龟鹤遐寿来祝福长辈。

Literary

Easily Confused

寿命 vs 生命

Both translate to 'life' in English.

生命 is the life force/existence; 寿命 is the time span.

我们要热爱生命，延长寿命。

寿命 vs 生存

Related to staying alive.

生存 is the act of surviving; 寿命 is how long that survival lasts.

环境恶劣影响了生物的生存和寿命。

寿命 vs 生活

Both relate to living.

生活 is what you do; 寿命 is how long you have to do it.

快乐的生活不代表有很长的寿命。

寿命 vs 年岁

Both involve years and life.

年岁 is usually a person's current age or 'the years'; 寿命 is the total span.

他虽然年岁已高，但寿命还没到尽头。

寿命 vs 寿限

Both involve lifespan.

寿限 is the fixed limit; 寿命 is the general duration.

没人知道人类的寿限在哪里。

Sentence Patterns

Subject + 的 + 寿命 + 很 + Adjective

猫的寿命很长。

Verb + 寿命

延长寿命。

Subject + 的 + 使用寿命 + 是 + Time

这台机器的使用寿命是十年。

平均寿命 + 达到 + Number

平均寿命达到了八十岁。

A + 对 + B 的寿命 + 有影响

压力对人的寿命有影响。

衡量...的指标是...预期寿命

衡量发展的指标是预期寿命。

在...寿命里...

在有限的寿命里，我们要努力工作。

寿命 + 终结/接近终点

这个理论的寿命已经接近终点。

Word Family

Nouns

长寿

寿礼

寿星

寿命期

Verbs

祝寿

延寿

Adjectives

长寿

短命

生命

生活

生理

生存

岁数

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both written and spoken Chinese.

Common Mistakes

我的寿命很快乐。 → 我的生活很快乐。
寿命 is about time span, not the quality of daily experience.
医生救了他的寿命。 → 医生救了他的生命。
You save a life (生命), you don't save a duration (寿命).
他寿命了八十岁。 → 他的寿命是八十岁。
寿命 is a noun, not a verb.
我祝你寿命很长。 → 我祝你长命百岁。
壽命 is too clinical for a birthday wish.
电池的生命快完了。 → 电池的寿命快完了。
For objects, use 寿命, not 生命.

Tips

Learn the character 寿

The character 寿 (shòu) is very common in Chinese culture. Learning it will help you understand many other words related to longevity.

Pair with 延长/缩短

Always remember the two most common verbs: 延长 (prolong) and 缩短 (shorten). These are the bread and butter of using 寿命.

Longevity Noodles

On birthdays, Chinese people eat '长寿面'. Don't cut the noodles, as long noodles represent a long 寿命!

Battery Life

When your phone dies, you can say '电池寿命不行了' (The battery life is no good anymore).

寿命 vs 生命

Think: 寿命 = Quantity (Time); 生命 = Essence (Life).

Falling Tones

Practice the double falling tone (4th + 4th). It should sound decisive.

Character Stroke Order

The top of 寿 is like 三 with a stroke through it. Practice the bottom part carefully!

Average Lifespan

Use 平均寿命 (píngjūn shòumìng) when talking about countries or groups.

Ming Vase

Remember 'Ming' as in 'Ming Dynasty'—it lasted a long time, just like a 寿命.

Metaphorical use

Don't be afraid to use 寿命 for abstract things like laws or trends.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Shou' as 'Show' and 'Ming' as 'Ming Vase'. A 'Show of a Ming Vase' lasts a long time because they are carefully preserved! (Shou-Ming = Lifespan).

Visual Association

Imagine a long candle (representing 寿命) slowly burning down. The length of the candle is the 寿命.

Word Web

生命长寿死岁年时间电池机器

Challenge

Try to use '寿命' to describe three different things today: a person, an animal, and an electronic device in your house.

Word Origin

The word 寿命 is a compound of two ancient characters. 寿 (shòu) originally depicted an elderly person with long hair, symbolizing old age. 命 (mìng) originally meant a command or decree from a superior or from heaven (天命).

Original meaning: The 'decree of longevity' or the span of life allotted by heaven.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 寿命 with someone who is ill; it can sound a bit too clinical or final. Use more encouraging words about 'recovery' (康复) instead.

In English, we often use 'lifespan' for animals and 'life' for people. In Chinese, 寿命 is used neutrally for both.

The 'Peach of Immortality' in Journey to the West. Traditional 'Longevity Noodles' (长寿面). The character '寿' appearing on the back of traditional silk jackets.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Health and Wellness

延长寿命
健康寿命
平均寿命
长寿秘诀

Technology and Gadgets

电池寿命
使用寿命
硬件寿命
保修期

Biology and Nature

物种寿命
自然寿命
生命周期
寿命极限

History and Politics

王朝寿命
政策寿命
制度寿命
历史跨度

Engineering

设计寿命
疲劳寿命
维护寿命
结构寿命

Conversation Starters

"你觉得人类的寿命极限是多少岁？"

"你认为哪些生活习惯最能延长寿命？"

"现在的手机使用寿命通常是几年？"

"你听说过寿命最长的动物是什么吗？"

"平均寿命的提高对社会有什么影响？"

Journal Prompts

如果你的寿命可以达到两百岁，你会如何安排你的生活？

谈谈你对‘健康寿命’和‘生理寿命’之间区别的看法。

描述一个你认为寿命已经到头，需要更换的旧物品。

为什么有些人愿意为了追求长寿命而放弃美食？

随着科技的发展，你认为人类寿命的延长是好事还是坏事？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, you can metaphorically use 寿命 to describe how long a project or initiative lasts, especially if it feels like it has a natural life cycle.

It is neutral and clinical. While not rude, it is more polite to use '高寿' when asking an elderly person their age or '长寿' when wishing them well.

寿命 is general; 使用寿命 specifically refers to the functional period of a product or machine during which it can still be used.

You say '预期寿命' (yùqī shòumìng) or '平均预期寿命'.

No, it is strictly a noun. You must use verbs like '延长' or '缩短' with it.

No, like most Chinese nouns, it doesn't change for plural. Context tells you if you mean one or many lifespans.

No. You say '我的寿命预计是80岁' (My lifespan is expected to be 80) or '我已经20岁了' (I am already 20 years old).

It's a common expression meaning 'to reduce one's lifespan,' often used jokingly when someone does something too kind for you or when you are very stressed.

Yes, in astronomy, you can talk about the 寿命 of a star or a galaxy.

Yes, it is a key term in life insurance (人寿保险), referring to the span of the insured's life.