大半生

dàbànshēng

noun #30,129

Meanings

1 the greater part of one's life
2 most of one's lifetime

Characters

Examples

HSK 4

他大半生都在国外度过。

Tā dàbànshēng dōu zài guówài dùguò.

He spent the greater part of his life abroad.

HSK 5

她把大半生献给了教育事业。

Tā bǎ dàbànshēng xiàngěi le jiàoyù shìyè.

She devoted most of her life to education.

Tips

usage

Built from 大半 ('greater part / mostly') + 生 ('life'). Often appears with 度过 ('spend') or 献给 ('devote to') when summing up someone's life path. Compare with 半生 'half a lifetime' which is more neutral about proportion.

Stroke Order

大 dà

半 bàn

生 shēng