生死存亡

shēngsǐ-cúnwáng

idiom #24,663

Meanings

1 a matter of life and death
2 survival or extinction

Characters

to exist; to survive

to perish; death

Examples

HSK 6

这是关系到公司生死存亡的重大决策。

Zhè shì guānxìdào gōngsī shēngsǐcúnwáng de zhòngdà juécè.

This is a crucial decision that is a matter of life and death for the company.

HSK 7-9

在生死存亡的关头，大家团结起来。

Zài shēngsǐcúnwáng de guāntóu, dàjiā tuánjié qǐlái.

At the moment of life and death, everyone united together.

Tips

memory

The four characters pair neatly as opposites: 生(live)死(die) + 存(exist)亡(perish). Together they cover all possible outcomes, reinforcing the gravity of the situation.

Stroke Order

生 shēng

死 sǐ

存 cún

亡 wáng