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终身大事

終身大事
zhōngshēndàshì
idiom #62,162

Meanings

  1. 1 a major life decision
  2. 2 (esp.) marriage; one's lifelong commitment
  3. 3 the great affair of one's life

Examples

结婚是终身大事，要慎重考虑。
Jiéhūn shì zhōngshēndàshì, yào shènzhòng kǎolǜ.
Marriage is a lifelong commitment — think it over carefully.
父母总是为儿女的终身大事操心。
Fùmǔ zǒngshì wèi érnǚ de zhōngshēndàshì cāoxīn.
Parents always worry about their children's marriage prospects.
选专业也算是个终身大事。
Xuǎn zhuānyè yě suàn shì gè zhōngshēndàshì.
Choosing a major is also a major life decision.

Tips

culture
In everyday Chinese 终身大事 is almost a euphemism for marriage — when relatives ask about it, they're asking when you'll get married.
history
Found in 凌濛初's late-Ming story collection 《二刻拍案惊奇》, where a careless gambling bet ruins someone's marriage prospects — their 终身大事.

Stroke Order

终 zhōng
身 shēn
大 dà
事 shì