安身立命

ānshēn-lìmìng
idiom #53,890

Meanings

  1. 1 to settle down and pursue one's path in life
  2. 2 to make a living and find one's purpose
  3. 3 to settle somewhere and make it one's home

Examples

HSK 3
Tā zhōngyú zài zhè zuò chéngshì zhǎodào le ānshēn-lìmìng de dìfāng.
He finally found a place in this city where he could settle down and make a life.
HSK 4
Duì hěnduō rén láishuō, yī fèn wěndìng de gōngzuò jiùshì ānshēn-lìmìng de gēnběn.
For many people, a stable job is the foundation for settling down and making their way in life.

Tips

history
From the Song-era Chan text 景德传灯录 vol. 10: a monk asks 学人不据地时如何 and the master replies 汝向什么处安身立命, the Zen question of where one can truly settle body and soul.
usage
Often used with 的本钱 (capital for), 的根本 (foundation for), or 之道 (way of). Refers both to material livelihood (stable job, a house) and spiritual rootedness (a cause, a place to belong).

Stroke Order

ān
shēn
mìng