Definition
守灵 is a separable verb (离合词) that refers to the Chinese funeral custom of keeping vigil over the deceased's body before burial — usually overnight, with family and close friends taking turns. The verb 守 ('to guard, to keep') and the noun 灵 ('spirit, deceased') can split: you can insert duration or measure words between them, e.g. 守了三天灵 ('kept vigil for three days'). This practice is deeply cultural; the English 'keep a deathwatch' or 'attend a wake' only partially captures the ritual aspect.
v.o.
to keep vigil over the deceased (before burial)to attend a wake
Examples
- ，守灵。Míngtiān shì zànglǐ, jīnwǎn wǒmen yào qù shǒu líng.The funeral is tomorrow, so tonight we need to keep vigil.
- ，。Tāmen shǒu le sān tiān líng, zhídào xiàzàng.They kept vigil for three days until the burial.
- 守灵，。Qīnpénghǎoyǒu lúnliú shǒu líng, biǎodá duì shìzhě de jìngyì.Relatives and close friends took turns keeping vigil to show respect for the deceased.
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