无常

無常

wúcháng

noun #13,563

Meanings

1 impermanence
2 variable; changeable; fickle
3 ghost that takes away the soul after death

Characters

without; lacking

constant; permanent

Examples

HSK 7-9

人生无常，要珍惜当下。

Rénshēng wúcháng, yào zhēnxī dāngxià.

Life is impermanent; cherish the present.

Tips

culture

无常 comes from the Buddhist concept of anitya (impermanence). In Chinese folk religion, 黑白无常 (Black and White Impermanence) are two ghosts who escort the dead to the underworld.

Stroke Order

无 wú

常 cháng