shànzhōng

善终

Word · VerbTraditional善終

die of old age; end well

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 7 examples
1.

verb

to die of old age or natural causes (not from accidents or violence)

neutral

Contrasts with 横死 (violent death). Often implies a peaceful, natural end after a long life.

Zhè这
wèi位
lǎo老
rén人
jiǔ九
shí十
wǔ五
suì岁
gāo高
líng龄
shàn善
zhōng终
 。

This elderly person passed away peacefully at the ripe old age of ninety-five.

Zài在
zhōng中
guó国
chuán传
tǒng统
wén文
huà化
zhōng中
 ,
néng能
gòu够
shàn善
zhōng终
shì是
yī一
zhǒng种
fú福
qi气
 。

In traditional Chinese culture, being able to die of old age is considered a blessing.

Show 1 more example
Tā他
wú无
jí疾
ér而
zhōng终
 ,
suàn算
shì是
shàn善
zhōng终
le了
 。

He died without illness, which counts as a good end.

2.

verb

to finish things properly; to see something through to a satisfactory end

neutral

Often used in the set phrase 善始善终 (begin well and end well). Implies completing the final stages of a task thoroughly.

Zuò做
shì事
yào要
shàn善
shǐ始
shàn善
zhōng终
 ,
bù不
néng能
bàn半
tú途
ér而
fèi废
 。

When doing things, one must begin well and end well; one cannot give up halfway.

Jì既
rán然
kāi开
shǐ始
le了
zhè这
gè个
xiàng项
mù目
 ,
wǒ我
men们
jiù就
yào要
shàn善
zhōng终
 。

Since we've started this project, we must see it through to a proper end.

Show 2 more examples
Nǐ你
xū需
yào要
què确
bǎo保
zhè这
bǐ笔
jiāo交
yì易
shàn善
zhōng终
 ,
bì避
miǎn免
rèn任
hé何
jiū纠
fēn纷
 。

You need to ensure this transaction ends well, avoiding any disputes.

Zhǐ只
yǒu有
shàn善
zhōng终
 ,
cái才
néng能
gěi给
kè客
hù户
liú留
xià下
hǎo好
yìn印
xiàng象
 。

Only by finishing properly can we leave a good impression on the client.