生灵

生靈

shēnglíng

noun #16,060

Meanings

1 (literary) the people; living beings
2 living thing; creature

Characters

to live; life; to be born

spirit; soul; clever

Examples

战争使生灵涂炭。

Zhànzhēng shǐ shēnglíng tútàn.

War causes the people immense suffering.

大自然孕育了无数生灵。

Dà zìrán yùnyù le wúshù shēnglíng.

Nature has nurtured countless living creatures.

Tips

culture

生灵涂炭 (shēnglíng tútàn) is a famous idiom meaning 'the people are plunged into misery' — literally 'living beings smeared in charcoal.' It describes the suffering of common people during war or tyranny.

Stroke Order

生 shēng

灵 líng