without descendants; unprecedented and unrepeatable
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to have no descendants; to become extinct
formalUsually describes a family line ending because there are no heirs. This can be a serious, often negative, consequence discussed in historical or familial contexts.
Yóu由
yú于
zhàn战
zhēng争
，
zhè这
gè个
jiā家
zú族
chà差
diǎn点
jué绝
hòu后
。
Because of the war, this family almost died out.
Zài在
gǔ古
dài代
，
méi没
yǒu有
ér儿
zi子
bèi被
rèn认
wéi为
shì是
jué绝
hòu后
de的
dà大
shì事
。
In ancient times, having no son was considered a major event of family extinction.
verb
to be unrepeatable; to be unprecedented and never to occur again
formalMost commonly used in the idiom 空前绝后, meaning 'unprecedented and unrepeatable,' often describing an unmatched achievement, event, or person.
Tā他
de的
zhè这
xiàng项
chéng成
jiù就
kān堪
chēng称
kōng空
qián前
jué绝
hòu后
。
His achievement can be called unprecedented and unrepeatable.
Zhè这
chǎng场
zāi灾
nàn难
shì是
kōng空
qián前
jué绝
hòu后
的
。
This disaster is unprecedented and will never happen again.
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Tā他
de的
yì艺
shù术
fēng风
gé格
dú独
tè特
，
hòu后
shì世
nán难
yǐ以
mó模
fǎng仿
，
kě可
wèi谓
jué绝
hòu后
。
His artistic style is unique, difficult for later generations to imitate, and can be considered unrepeatable.