生杀予夺 (shēngshāyǔduó) refers to the power of life and death, often denoting the authority to decide who lives or dies. This phrase is typically used in contexts relating to governance, justice, or absolute power, emphasizing the weight and responsibility of such authority. It can also imply moral implications and the consequences of wielding such power.
HSK 7, 32 strokes, Hard
shēngshāyǔduó(sheng1sha1yu3duo2) T1
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
May 27, 2026
生杀予夺shēngshāyǔduó(sheng1sha1yu3duo2)
生杀予夺 (shēngshāyǔduó) refers to the power of life and death, often denoting the authority to decide who lives or dies. This phrase is typically used in contexts relating to governance, justice, or absolute power, emphasizing the weight and responsibility of such authority. It can also imply moral implications and the consequences of wielding such power.
Strokes32Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, the concept of life and death has often been tied to the authority of emperors and rulers, who were believed to have the divine right to determine the fate of their subjects. This phrase reflects the historical weight given to such decisions in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a ruler standing at the gates of life and death, wielding a sword in one hand (生) and a gavel in the other (杀). In front of them, they decide (予) who shall be granted the gift of life or the sentence of death (夺). The imagery of this powerful figure helps connect the meaning with the sounds of 'shēng' (to give life), 'shā' (to kill), 'yǔ' (to give), and 'duó' (to take away).
About 生杀予夺
生杀予夺Simplified
32Strokes
—Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 生杀予夺
Podcast: 生杀予夺
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 生杀予夺
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a ruler standing at the gates of life and death, wielding a sword in one hand (生) and a gavel in the other (杀). In front of them, they decide (予) who shall be granted the gift of life or the sentence of death (夺). The imagery of this powerful figure helps connect the meaning with the sounds of 'shēng' (to give life), 'shā' (to kill), 'yǔ' (to give), and 'duó' (to take away).
Usage Notes
This phrase is often used in formal or literary contexts, so be cautious in informal situations. Common collocations include '权力' (power) and '决策' (decision-making). Learners should also be aware of the tones, as mispronouncing '杀' as 'sha' (third tone) instead of 'shā' (first tone) can change the meaning completely.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK level 7, students should focus on understanding idiomatic expressions and their cultural implications. Connecting 生杀予夺 with other vocabulary related to power (权力) and justice (正义) can enhance comprehension and usage in discussions about politics or ethics.
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, the concept of life and death has often been tied to the authority of emperors and rulers, who were believed to have the divine right to determine the fate of their subjects. This phrase reflects the historical weight given to such decisions in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up the tones, especially '杀' (shā) with other similar sounding words. For instance, saying '生沙予夺' instead of '生杀予夺' can lead to confusion. Remember the correct tones to maintain the meaning intact.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 生杀予夺
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 生杀予夺 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 生杀予夺 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 生杀予夺
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese history, the concept of life and death has often been tied to the authority of emperors and rulers, who were believed to have the divine right to determine the fate of their subjects. This phrase reflects the historical weight given to such decisions in Chinese culture.
Frequently Asked Questions about 生杀予夺
It literally translates to 'to give life, to kill, to grant, to take away,' encompassing the concepts of control over life and death.
You might hear it in discussions about political power, authority, or in literature that addresses themes of justice and moral dilemmas.
No, it is more appropriate for formal contexts, such as academic discussions or literature, rather than casual conversation.
