患难见真情 患難見真情 huàn nàn jiàn zhēn qíng true sentiments are seen in hard times (idiom) / you see who your true friends are when you go through tough times together / you see who your true friends are when you are in difficulties 属实 屬實 shǔ shí to turn out to be true / verified / true syn 真面目 zhēn miàn mù true identity / true colors syn 原形 yuán xíng original shape / true appearance (under the disguise) / true character syn 本来面目 本來面目 běn lái miàn mù true colors / true features syn 千真万确 千真萬確 qiān zhēn wàn què absolutely true (idiom) / manifold / true from many points of view syn 心迹 心跡 xīn jì true motive / true feelings syn 真容 zhēn róng portrait / true features / (fig.) true nature syn 阿Ｑ ā Q Ah Q, antihero of Lu Xun's influential 1921 novella The true story of Ah Q 阿Ｑ正傳|阿Ｑ正传[A1 Q zheng4 chuan2] / Ah Q, antihero of Lu Xun's influential 1921 novella "The True Story of Ah Q" 阿Q正傳|阿Q正传[A1 Q Zheng4zhuan4] ("Q" here is typically pronounced as [kiu1] or [qiu1]) 本来面目 本來面目 běn lái - miàn mù (idiom) true colors / true features / original appearance syn 千真万真 qiān zhēn wàn zhēn (idiom) Describes something that is unquestionably true or certain. It means “absolutely true.” 生平 shēng píng n. life (a person's whole life) / in one's entire life syn 舍生取义 捨生取義 shě shēng qǔ yì to give up life for righteousness (idiom, from Mencius) / to choose honor over life / would rather sacrifice one's life than one's principles syn 维妙维肖 維妙維肖 wéi miào wéi xiào to imitate to perfection / to be remarkably true to life syn 惟妙惟肖 wéi miào wéi xiào to imitate to perfection / to be remarkably true to life syn 士为知己者死，女为悦己者容 士為知己者死，女為悅己者容 shì wèi zhī jǐ zhě sǐ , nǚ wèi yuè jǐ zhě róng a true gentleman will sacrifice his life for a friend who understands him, as a woman makes herself beautiful for her sweetheart 咬得菜根 yǎo dé cài gēn (idiom) Formerly referred to living in poverty while remaining true to one’s principles. Today it describes someone who accepts a hard and frugal life. 人寿几何 rén shòu jǐ hé (idiom) Human life is short in the perspective of history. The expression suggests that one cannot wait indefinitely for a hoped-for event to come true. 咬菜根 yǎo cài gēn (idiom) Originally, to live in poverty while remaining true to one's principles. Today, it also means being content with a hard and frugal life. 士死知己 shì sǐ zhī jǐ (idiom) To be willing to sacrifice one’s life in return for the recognition and understanding of a true patron or friend. 得一知己，死可无恨 得一知己，死可無恨 dé yī zhī jǐ，sǐ kě wú hèn (idiom) Having one true friend who understands you can make life fully worthwhile, so that even death would bring no regret. 生龙活现 生龍活現 shēng lóng huó xiàn (idiom) To describe an expression or representation so lifelike that it seems to appear before one’s eyes. It means “true to life” or “lifelike.” 一生 yī shēng n. all one's life / throughout one's life syn 生涯 shēng yá n. career / life (way in which sb lives) / period of one's life syn 寿命 壽命 shòu mìng n. life span / life expectancy / lifetime (of a machine) syn 死活 sǐ huó life or death / fate / no matter what / anyway / for the life of me syn 永生 yǒng shēng to live forever / eternal life / all one's life 享乐 享樂 xiǎng lè to enjoy life / pleasures of life syn 起居 qǐ jū everyday life / regular pattern of life syn 活命 huó mìng life / to survive / to save a life / to scrape a living syn 死去活来 死去活來 sǐ qù huó lái to hover between life and death (idiom) / to suffer terribly / within an inch of one's life syn 救生 jiù shēng to save a life / life-saving syn 过得去 過得去 guò dé qù lit. can pass through (an opening) / fig. can get by (in life) / tolerably well / not too bad / How are you getting by? / How's life? syn 延年益寿 延年益壽 yán nián yì shòu to make life longer / to promise longevity / (this product will) extend your life syn 贪生怕死 貪生怕死 tān shēng pà sǐ greedy for life, afraid of death (idiom) / craven and cowardly / clinging abjectly to life / only interested in saving one's neck syn 白活 bái huó to waste one's life / to fail to make the most of one's life 救生圈 jiù shēng quān life buoy / life belt / (jocular) flab / spare tire 救生衣 jiù shēng yī life jacket / life vest 闲居 閑居 xián jū to lead a quiet and peaceful life in retirement / to stay home with nothing to do / to lead a solitary life syn 生命在于运动 生命在於運動 shēng mìng zài yú yùn dòng life is motion (popular saying with many possible interpretations) / Physical effort is vital for our bodies to function (Aristotle). / Life derives from physical exercise. 寿 壽 shòu long life / old age / age / life / birthday / funerary syn 枕岩漱流 zhěn yán shù liú to live a hermit's life (in seclusion) / a frugal life (idiom) / see 枕石漱流[zhen3 shi2 shu4 liu2] 枕石漱流 zhěn shí shù liú to live a hermit's life (in seclusion) / a frugal life (idiom) 死中求生 sǐ zhōng qiú shēng to seek life in death (idiom) / to fight for one's life 生命的遗迹 生命的遺跡 shēng mìng de yí jì trace of life / vestige of life 年寿 年壽 nián shòu length of life / life span 浮生六记 浮生六記 fú shēng liù jì Six Records of a Floating Life, autobiographical novel and description of Qing dynasty life by 沈復|沈复[Shen3 Fu4], published 1808 无量寿 無量壽 wú liàng shòu boundless life (expression of good wishes) / Amitayus, the Buddha of measureless life, good fortune and wisdom 寿命周期分析 life cycle assessment / life cycle analysis 生命肢体急救手术 life- and limb-saving surgical intervention / life- and limb-saving procedure 生命网倡议 生命網倡議 shēng mìng wǎng chàng yì Life Web Initiative / Life Web 有效寿命 有效壽命 yǒu xiào shòu mìng useful life component / useful life 命途坎坷 mìng tú kǎn kě to have a tough life / to meet much adversity in one's life 轗轲 轗軻 kǎn kě (of a road) bumpy / (of life) rough / to be down on one's luck / to be full of frustrations and dashed hopes / variant of 坎坷[kan3 ke3] / bumpy (of a road) / rough (of life) 寿考 壽考 shòu kǎo long life / life span 起居作息 qǐ jū zuò xī lit. rising and lying down, working and resting (idiom) / fig. everyday life / daily routine / to go about one's daily life 夀 shòu long life / old age / age / life / birthday / funerary / old variant of 壽|寿[shou4] 夭寿 夭壽 yāo shòu to die young / (Tw) (curse word) drop dead / go to hell / (literary) short life and long life 威尊命贱 威尊命賤 wēi zūn - mìng jiàn (idiom) the dignity of authority is above life / one must be willing to sacrifice one's life rather than disobey a military order 成仁取义 成仁取義 chéng rén qǔ yì (idiom) To give up one’s life in order to fulfill benevolence and uphold justice. It means sacrificing one’s life for a righteous cause. 壶中日月 壺中日月 hú zhōng rì yuè (idiom) Originally, a leisurely and tranquil Taoist way of life based on non-action. It can also refer to the life of Taoist immortals. 蝼蚁贪生 螻蟻貪生 lóu yǐ tān shēng (idiom) Even tiny creatures cling to life. It was traditionally used to beg for mercy and one’s life, and can also urge someone not to commit suicide. 生寄死归 生寄死歸 shēng jì sǐ guī (idiom) Life is a temporary lodging and death a return. The expression means that one does not regard life and death as ultimate concerns and is ready to face either. 天不假年 tiān bù jiǎ nián (idiom) Heaven does not grant a long life / said of someone who dies prematurely or has a short life. 一息尚在 yī xī shàng zài (idiom) Only a breath of life remains. It refers to the final stage of life or to someone who is still alive despite being in critical condition. 一生一代 yī shēng yī dài (idiom) A whole lifetime or an entire life / for life. 三生石上 sān shēng shí shàng (idiom) Refers to a Buddhist tale in which people connected in a previous life meet again and renew their relationship in a future life. 为臣死忠，为子死孝 wéi chén sī zhōng， wéi zǐ sǐ xiào (idiom) In feudal society, it was held that a minister should remain loyal to the ruler even at the cost of his life, and that a child should honor his parents at the cost of his life. 人生若寄 rén shēng ruò jì (idiom) Human life is short, like a temporary stay in this world. It has the same meaning as “life is like a temporary lodging.” 以终天年 yǐ zhōng tiān nián (idiom) To provide for someone until the end of their natural life. The expression refers to caring for an elderly person through the end of their life. 修短有命 xiū duǎn yǒu mìng (idiom) The length of a person's life is believed to be determined by fate. The expression conveys a fatalistic view of life. 出入生死 chū rù shēng sǐ (idiom) It means to face life and death together, or to risk one's life. It describes people who share grave dangers. 命如丝发 mìng rú sī fà (idiom) One’s life seems to be hanging by a thin thread, or even a single hair. It describes a situation in which life is in extreme danger. 命轻鸿毛 命輕鴻毛 mìng qīng hóng máo (idiom) Life is as light as a goose feather. It describes a life regarded as having little value or as readily expendable. 壶天日月 壺天日月 hú tiān rì yuè (idiom) It refers to the immortal, secluded life associated with Daoism. It can also describe an ideal realm removed from the troubles of ordinary life. 好死不如恶活 hǎo sǐ bù rú è huó (idiom) One should preserve one's life whatever the circumstances. It stresses that even a miserable life is preferable to death. 忘生舍死 wàng shēng shě sǐ (idiom) To put one’s life aside and have no fear of sacrifice. It describes someone who does not place personal life or death first. 捐生殉国 捐生殉國 juān shēng xùn guó (idiom) To sacrifice one’s life for one’s country. Describes giving one’s life in service of the nation. 杀身成义 殺身成義 shā shēn chéng yì (idiom) To sacrifice one's life for justice. More broadly, it means giving one's life to defend a just cause. 殉义忘生 殉義忘生 xùn yì wàng shēng (idiom) To give up one’s life in pursuit of justice. It describes sacrificing one’s life for a just principle. 漏尽钟鸣 lòu jìn zhōng míng (idiom) To describe a person whose life is nearing its end. It refers to someone who has reached the end of their life. 漱流枕石 shù liú zhěn shí (idiom) To lead a reclusive life away from the world. It describes the life of a hermit or someone who chooses seclusion. 福轻命薄 福輕命薄 fú qīng mìng bó (idiom) Describes someone who is unable to enjoy life’s blessings and has a short life. 舍生存义 shě shēng cún yì (idiom) To sacrifice one’s life for the sake of justice. It can also refer broadly to giving one’s life in defense of a righteous cause. 舍身成仁 shě shēn chéng rén (idiom) To give one’s life for justice. More broadly, to sacrifice one’s life in defense of a righteous cause. 誓以皦日 shì yǐ jiǎo rì (idiom) To swear to remain united in life and death and to love one another for life. 贪夫徇利 tān fū xùn lì (idiom) A greedy person will risk or sacrifice his life for money. It describes someone who loves wealth as if his life depended on it. 贪生恶死 tān shēng wù sǐ (idiom) To cling to life and fear death. It is synonymous with “fearing death and clinging to life.” 轻死重义 輕死重義 qīng sǐ zhòng yì (idiom) To value loyalty and righteousness more than one’s own life, without fearing death. It is synonymous with “valuing loyalty over life.” 轻生重义 輕生重義 qīng shēng zhòng yì (idiom) To despise one’s own life while valuing justice and righteous causes. It describes someone willing to sacrifice their life for their principles. 酸咸苦辣 suān xián kǔ là (idiom) It refers to various flavors. Figuratively, it describes the different circumstances of life, both happy and painful, equivalent to life’s joys and sorrows. 醉死梦生 醉死夢生 zuì sǐ mèng shēng (idiom) To drift through life in a dazed state, as if drunk or dreaming. It describes a life without a clear purpose, lived in confusion. 饱经世变 飽經世變 bǎo jīng shì biàn (idiom) To have lived through many changes and upheavals in life. It describes someone with extensive life experience. 真正 zhēn zhèng adj., adv. genuine / real / true / really / indeed syn 