超生

chāoshēng

verb #36,643

Meanings

1 to have more children than permitted under family planning policy
2 (Buddhism) to be reincarnated into a higher realm
3 (figurative) to spare someone; be lenient

Characters

to bear / be born

Examples

以前超生要被罚款。

Yǐqián chāoshēng yào bèi fákuǎn.

In the past, having over-quota children meant a fine.

手下超生吧。

Shǒuxià chāoshēng ba.

Show some mercy (spare them).

Tips

culture

The 'over-quota birth' sense is tied to the 1979-2015 一孩政策 (one-child policy). 超生游击队 ('over-quota guerrillas') became a famous 1990 Spring Festival Gala sketch — families moving to evade enforcement. Policy was relaxed to two children in 2016, three in 2021.

Stroke Order

超 chāo

生 shēng