What does 行将就木 mean?

行将就木 (xíng jiāng jiù mù) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be on one's last legs”.

How do you pronounce 行将就木?

行将就木 is pronounced xíng jiāng jiù mù in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 行将就木 literally mean?

Literally, 行将就木 means “Will soon approach the coffin”. It is used to mean “to be on one's last legs”.

Where does 行将就木 come from?

行将就木 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 行将就木?

行将：将要；木：指棺材。指人寿命已经不长，快要进棺材了。

行将就木 — “To be on one's last legs”

行将就木 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be on one's last legs”. To have one foot in the grave, referring to someone whose life is drawing to a close. Literally, “Will soon approach the coffin”.

Frequency

行将就木 Pronunciation and Pinyin

行xíng
将jiāng
就jiù
木mù

行将就木 Character Breakdown

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
行	xíng	6	to walk, act, or a line
将	jiāng	10	about to happen, to lead
就	jiù	12	to proceed based on circumstances
木	mù	4	tree, wood, wooden, dull, numb

Example Sentence with 行将就木

那位年迈的教授虽然行将就木，但依然笔耕不辍，著书立说。

Although the elderly professor was on his last legs, he continued to write diligently and publish his works.

Origin and Story of 行将就木

During the Spring and Autumn period, a civil strife broke out in the state of Jin, forcing Princes Chong'er and Yiwu to flee to other states.

While in the state of Di, Chong'er married Ji Kui.

Prince Yiwu, with assistance from the state of Qin, returned to Jin to ascend the throne as Duke Hui of Jin, and subsequently attempted to assassinate Chong'er.

Chong'er once told Ji Kui that she should wait 25 years before remarrying. Ji Kui responded, 'By then, I will be nearing the coffin; what's the point of talking about remarrying?'

Later, with the help of the state of Qin, Chong'er successfully returned and became Duke Wen of Jin.

Idioms Related to 行将就木

Synonyms of 行将就木

Antonyms of 行将就木

More idioms starting with 行

Questions about 行将就木

What does 行将就木 mean?: 行将就木 (xíng jiāng jiù mù) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be on one's last legs”.
How do you pronounce 行将就木?: 行将就木 is pronounced xíng jiāng jiù mù in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 行将就木 literally mean?: Literally, 行将就木 means “Will soon approach the coffin”. It is used to mean “to be on one's last legs”.
Where does 行将就木 come from?: 行将就木 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 行将就木?: 行将：将要；木：指棺材。指人寿命已经不长，快要进棺材了。

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