寿终正寝

壽終正寢

shòuzhōngzhèngqǐn

idiom #39,059

Meanings

1 to die of old age in one's own bed
2 to die a natural death at home
3 (figurative) (of a project, machine, system) to come to a natural end

Characters

longevity; lifespan

Examples

老人寿终正寝，子孙都在身边。

Lǎorén shòuzhōngzhèngqǐn, zǐsūn dōu zài shēnbiān.

The old man passed away peacefully in his bed, with his children and grandchildren by his side.

这个项目耗了三年，最终寿终正寝。

Zhège xiàngmù hào le sān nián, zuìzhōng shòuzhōngzhèngqǐn.

After dragging on for three years, the project quietly died a natural death.

我那台老电脑昨天终于寿终正寝了。

Wǒ nà tái lǎo diànnǎo zuótiān zhōngyú shòuzhōngzhèngqǐn le.

My old computer finally bit the dust yesterday.

Tips

culture

Traditionally a respectful, even auspicious way to describe death — old age, at home, properly attended. Modern figurative use (for dead projects or gadgets) is darkly humorous.

history

Recorded in the Ming novel 《封神演义》, contrasting an honorable end at home with a violent or shameful death.

Stroke Order

寿 shòu

终 zhōng

正 zhèng

寝 qǐn