Definitions

(verb) to die
(adjective) deadly; inflexible; rigid
(adverb) extremely

Etymology

Depicts using a digging tool () to bury a person (). Based on the original meaning "to bury a person". The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "die".

About

The character 死, meaning "death" or "to die", is constructed from components that graphically depict its meaning. Its traditional form, which remains unchanged by simplification, consists of 歹 (originally depicting a broken bone or remnant) and 匕 (an inverted person). This combination creates a vivid conceptualization of a person reduced to bones or remains. Etymologically, the character has consistently represented the fundamental concept of death or cessation of life since its earliest forms, with its core meaning proving stable over millennia. While its primary sense is literal, it also functions extensively in metaphorical and idiomatic expressions, often conveying notions of extremity, fixity, or lifelessness, such as in terms for something utterly still or irrevocably decided.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的宠物了。

Wǒ de chǒngwù sǐ le.

My pet died.

他害怕亡。

Tā hàipà sǐwáng.

He is afraid of death.

这只鸟已经了。

Zhè zhī niǎo yǐjīng sǐ le.

This bird has already died.

亡是不可避免的。

Sǐwáng shì bùkě bìmiǎn de.

Death is unavoidable.

地抓住绳子。

Tā sǐsǐ de zhuā zhù shéngzi.

He firmly grabbed the rope.

面对亡,他非常勇敢。

Miànduì sǐwáng, tā fēicháng yǒnggǎn.

Facing death, he was very brave.

如果不喝水,你会渴的。

Rúguǒ bù hē shuǐ, nǐ huì kěsǐ de.

If you don't drink water, you will die of thirst.

尽管面临亡威胁,他依然坚持自己的信念。

Jǐnguǎn miànlín sǐwáng wēixié, tā yīrán jiānchí zìjǐ de xìnniàn.

Despite facing the threat of death, he still adhered to his beliefs.