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noun HSK 5
shì
generation · world · era · lifetime

Meaning

世 is a character that refers to a span of time, commonly meaning 'generation', 'world', or 'era'. It often appears in compound words relating to the world, society, or periods of time. The character suggests continuity through time, from one generation to the next.

Usage

世 is rarely used alone in modern spoken Chinese. It appears in many common compound words like 世界 (world), 世纪 (century), and 世代 (generations). In formal or literary contexts, it can refer to one's lifetime or the mortal world.

Examples

  1. 01
    他的家族世世代代都住在这个村子里。
    Tā de jiā zú shì shì dài dài dōu zhù zài zhège cūn zi lǐ.
    His family has lived in this village for generations.
  2. 02
    这位科学家在世时做出了许多重要贡献。
    Zhè wèi kē xué jiā zài shì shí zuò chū le xǔ duō zhòng yào gòng xiàn.
    This scientist made many important contributions during his lifetime.

Common collocations

  • 世世代代
    shì shì dài dài
    generation after generation
  • 举世闻名
    jǔ shì wén míng
    world-famous
  • 与世长辞
    yǔ shì cháng cí
    to pass away
  • 在世
    zài shì
    alive, living

Origin

The character originally depicted three tens (thirty years), representing the span of a generation in ancient times.

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