寿命 (shòumìng): lifespan

Measure Word

一个寿命 gè

人的平均寿命越来越长了。

Rén de píngjūn shòumìng yuèláiyuè cháng le.

Human average lifespan is getting longer and longer.

这台机器的使用寿命大约是十年。

Zhè tái jīqì de shǐyòng shòumìng dàyuē shì shínián.

The service life of this machine is about ten years.

usage

寿命 applies to both living things (人的寿命 = human lifespan) and objects (电池寿命 = battery life, 使用寿命 = service life).

memory

寿 (longevity) + 命 (life/fate) — how long a life is destined to last.

寿 shòu

命 mìng