终身大事

終身大事

zhōngshēn-dàshì

idiom #62,162

Meanings

HSK 6

选专业也算是个终身大事。

Xuǎn zhuānyè yě suànshì gè zhōngshēn-dàshì.

Choosing a major is also a major life decision.

HSK 7-9

结婚是终身大事，要慎重考虑。

Jiéhūn shì zhōngshēn-dàshì, yào shènzhòng kǎolǜ.

Marriage is a lifelong commitment - think it over carefully.

HSK 7-9

父母总是为儿女的终身大事操心。

Fùmǔ zǒngshì wèi érnǚ de zhōngshēn-dàshì cāoxīn.

Parents always worry about their children's marriage prospects.

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.

终 zhōng

身 shēn

大 dà

事 shì