live ignobly; drag out an existence
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to live on in degradation; to drag out an ignoble existence; to survive without dignity
literaryOften used in set phrases like 苟且偷生. Implies a lack of dignity or ambition, merely surviving. Carries a negative or pitiable connotation.
Yǔ与
qí其
gǒu苟
qiě且
tōu偷
shēng生
，
bù不
rú如
yīng英
yǒng勇
jiù就
yì义
。
Better to die heroically than to live on in degradation.
Zài在
zhàn战
zhēng争
nián年
dài代
，
xǔ许
duō多
rén人
zhǐ只
néng能
tōu偷
shēng生
gǒu苟
ān安
。
In wartime, many people could only survive without dignity and seek temporary peace.
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Tā他
bù不
yuàn愿
tōu偷
shēng生
，
xuǎn选
zé择
le了
fǎn反
kàng抗
。
He was unwilling to live ignobly and chose to resist.
Rěn忍
rǔ辱
tōu偷
shēng生
bù不
shì是
cháng长
jiǔ久
zhī之
jì计
。
Enduring humiliation to survive is not a long-term solution.