逝 (shì) - to pass away & to die

逝Tone 4

shì ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

逝 · shì

to pass away;

to die;

to elapse (of time);

to depart;

to pass by

to pass awayto dieto elapse (of time)

Usage highlights

to pass awayelapse of timeto dieflowing waterfleeing yearsdeparted soul

Synonyms

  • 死— to die (more direct)
  • 亡— to perish; to die
  • 终— to end; to pass away

Antonyms

  • 生— to be born; to live
  • 存— to exist; to survive
  • 留— to stay; to remain

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Time flies like an arrow (时光飞逝).
  • The deceased grandfather (逝世的祖父).
  • Gone forever (一去不复逝).
  • The river flows eastward (江水东逝).

Collocations

  • to pass away(逝世)
  • elapse of time(时光流逝)
  • to die(逝去)
  • flowing water(逝水)
  • fleeing years(逝年)
  • departed soul(逝魂)

Idioms

  • Time flies like an arrow(光阴似箭，日月如逝)
  • Gone with the wind(随风而逝)
  • The deceased is gone forever(逝者已矣)
  • The river flows eastward, never to return(逝者如斯夫，不舍昼夜)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in euphemisms for death in Chinese culture, showing respect for the deceased.
  • Frequently appears in classical poetry to describe the passage of time and the transience of life.
  • Associated with philosophical concepts about the impermanence of existence in Taoist and Buddhist thought.

FAQ