Hanzi Now
CharactersIdiomsChinese NameFlashcards
Tools

Visual content

  • Chinese Text Image GeneratorCreate PNGs with pinyin, highlight character parts or remove strokes
  • Stroke Order AnimatorTurn a Chinese character or sentence into a GIF or MP4
  • Character Highlight AnimatorChoose character parts and animate their colors, together or in stroke order
  • Chinese Text Morph AnimatorTurn one Chinese character, word or phrase into another; download SVG, MP4 or WebM

Audio content

  • Chinese Text to SpeechRead Chinese aloud with karaoke highlighting

Teaching materials

  • Writing WorksheetsPrintable tracing sheets with a QR learning companion
  • Bingo CardsPicture and word Bingo for your class
  • Picture WorksheetsChinese and English fill-in vocabulary worksheets

Other

  • Pinyin GeneratorConvert Chinese text to pinyin with tone marks
  • Chinese Zodiac CalculatorFind your animal sign from your birth date and make a zodiac card.
  • Chinese Word CounterCount characters, words and sentences in Chinese text
View all tools →
生荣死哀
生荣死哀
生荣死哀
生荣死哀
生荣死哀
生荣死哀
生荣死哀
生荣死哀

生荣死哀 — “Honored in life, mourned in death”

生荣死哀 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be honored and respected while alive, and deeply mourned and lamented when dead; used to praise a revered deceased person”. Literally, “Honored in life, mourned in death”.

Frequency

生荣死哀 Pronunciation and Pinyin

生荣死哀 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order
CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
生
shēng5to be born, grow, or live
荣
róng10Glory, honor, prosperity
死
sǐ6to die
哀
āi9to mourn or pity

Example Sentence with 生荣死哀

这位老教师一生奉献教育事业,深受学生爱戴,真正做到了生荣死哀
This veteran teacher dedicated his life to education and was deeply loved by his students, truly embodying 'honored in life and mourned in death'.

Origin and Story of 生荣死哀

During the Spring and Autumn period, Chen Ziqin intentionally disparaged Confucius, claiming Zigong surpassed him.

Zigong replied, "Master Confucius's words are appropriate and incomparable. When his virtues are applied to governing a country, he guides the people and brings them peace. Therefore, while Master Confucius was alive, no one did not feel honored by him, and when he passed away, no one did not mourn him."

Idioms Related to 生荣死哀

Synonyms of 生荣死哀

  • shēng生róng荣wáng亡āi哀live honored, die mourned

More idioms starting with 生

  • shēng生shàng上qǐ起xià下Connect preceding to following
  • shēng生bù不rú如sǐ死life is worse than death
  • shēng生bù不féng逢chǎng场Born at an inopportune time
  • shēng生bù不féng逢shí时born at the wrong time
  • shēng生bù不féng逢chén辰born at an unlucky time
  • shēng生bù不yù遇shí时born at an unfortunate time
  • shēng生shì事wēi微miǎo渺precarious and meager livelihood
  • shēng生shì事rǎo扰mín民cause trouble and disturb the public
  • shēng生yú于yōu忧huàn患ér而sǐ死yú于ān安lè乐Adversity fosters survival, ease leads to ruin
  • shēng生yú于yōu忧huàn患,,sǐ死yú于yì逸lè乐adversity spurs survival, ease brings ruin
  • shēng生rén人tú涂tàn炭people plunged into extreme misery
  • shēng生zhòng众shí食guǎ寡abundant production and sparse consumption

Recommended tools

Writing Worksheets

Printable tracing sheets with a QR learning companion

Open the tool →

Picture Worksheets

Chinese and English fill-in vocabulary worksheets

Open the tool →

Bingo Cards

Picture and word Bingo for your class

Open the tool →

Character Highlight Animator

Choose character parts and animate their colors, together or in stroke order

Open the tool →

Questions about 生荣死哀

What does 生荣死哀 mean?

生荣死哀 (shēng róng sǐ āi) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be honored and respected while alive, and deeply mourned and lamented when dead; used to praise a revered deceased person”.

How do you pronounce 生荣死哀?

生荣死哀 is pronounced shēng róng sǐ āi in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 生荣死哀 literally mean?

Literally, 生荣死哀 means “Honored in life, mourned in death”. It is used to mean “to be honored and respected while alive, and deeply mourned and lamented when dead; used to praise a revered deceased person”.

Where does 生荣死哀 come from?

生荣死哀 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 生荣死哀?

活着受人尊敬,死了使人哀痛。用以赞誉受人崇敬的死者。

Hanzi Now

Explore the charm of Chinese language

Explore

  • Characters
  • Idioms
  • Chinese Names
  • Flashcards

Tools

  • Chinese Text Image Generator
  • Stroke Order Animator
  • Character Highlight Animator
  • Bingo Cards
  • Picture Worksheets
  • All Tools

More

  • Blog
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
© 2026 Hanzi NowContact Us