在天之灵

在天之靈
zàitiānzhīlíng
idiom #32,906

Meanings

  1. 1 the spirit (of the deceased) in heaven
  2. 2 the soul of a departed loved one
  3. 3 (used in honor or in vows to the dead)

Examples

Wǒmen yídìng yào hǎohǎo shēnghuó, gàowèi fùqīn de zài tiān zhī líng.
We must live well, to comfort father's spirit in heaven.
Zhè zuò jìniànbēi shì wèile miǎnhuái lièshì de zài tiān zhī líng.
This monument was built to honor the spirits of the fallen heroes.
Yuàn wàipó de zài tiān zhī líng bǎoyòu wǒmen quán jiā píng'ān.
May grandmother's spirit in heaven watch over our family.

Tips

register
Solemn and reverent — used in eulogies, memorials, vows to the dead. Almost always preceded by a possessive: 父亲, 烈士, 母亲. Avoid in casual speech.
culture
Reflects a popular belief, common across folk Chinese tradition (and adopted into Christian and other contexts), that the dead exist in heaven and can witness the living. Often paired with verbs like (gàowèi, to comfort) or 保佑 (bǎoyòu, to bless).

Stroke Order

zài
tiān
zhī
líng