Definition
夭 is a bound form (b.f.) that cannot stand alone; it appears in literary or formal compounds meaning 'to die young' or 'to come to a premature end'. You'll most often see it in 夭折 (yāo zhé 'die young' or 'fail early') and 夭亡 (yāo wáng 'die young'). It carries a classical, somewhat poetic tone and is rarely used in everyday speech.
b.f.
(bound form) to die youngpremature death
Examples
- 。Tā nián jǐn èr shí suì jiù yāo zhé le.He died young at just twenty years old.
- 。Zhège xiàngmù yīnwèi zījīn wèntí ér yāo zhé.This project came to a premature end due to funding issues.
- 夭。Gǔdài hěn duō yǒu cáihuá de shīrén dōu yāo wáng le.In ancient times, many talented poets died young.
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