sau6 ming6壽命寿命
Jyutpingsau6 ming6
Yalesauh mihng
Definition
Lifespan, lifetime, or the operational life of an object.
- the lifespan or life expectancy of a living being
- the operational life or durability of an object or system
neutralother
How it's used
Refers not only to the biological life of living things but also frequently to the durability or functional period of inanimate objects like machines or batteries. When discussing people, it often carries a slightly formal or clinical tone compared to talking about how long someone lives using verbs like 活.
Examples
The lifespan of this old computer is about to end.
Do you know how long the average lifespan of a tortoise is?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it to describe the duration of an event or a temporary state, as it strictly denotes the total potential duration of existence or operation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
