funeral lament; dead and gone (humorous)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesinterjection
an exclamation of lamentation used in traditional funeral orations
archaicTraditionally used at the end of funeral eulogies, often followed by the phrase '伏惟尚飨'. This usage is now largely confined to classical or highly formal contexts.
Wū呜
hū呼
āi哀
zāi哉
，
fú伏
wéi惟
shàng尚
xiǎng飨
。
Alas, oh sorrow! Please come and enjoy this sacrifice.
Wū呜
hū呼
āi哀
zāi哉
，
sī斯
rén人
yǐ已
shì逝
。
Alas, that person has already passed away.
phrase
to be dead and gone; to be finished; to bite the dust (humorous)
informalModern colloquial usage, often humorous or ironic, implying that something is completely finished or someone is 'done for'.
Zhè这
xià下
wán完
dàn蛋
le了
，
wū呜
hū呼
āi哀
zāi哉
le了
！
Now we're really done for—it's all over!
Wǒ我
de的
shǒu手
jī机
diào掉
shuǐ水
lǐ里
le了
，
wū呜
hū呼
āi哀
zāi哉
。
My phone fell in the water—it's dead and gone.
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Tā他
yào要
shi是
zài再
bù不
gǎi改
，
tā他
de的
shì事
yè业
jiù就
wū呜
hū呼
āi哀
zāi哉
le了
。
If he doesn't change his ways, his career will be finished.