Definition
安身立命 is a literary four-character phrase meaning to settle oneself physically and establish one's life's work or purpose. Originally from Buddhist and Confucian thought, it combines 安身 (to secure a place to live) with 立命 (to set one's life mission). It's used to describe finding stability in both livelihood and personal calling — the foundation for a fulfilled life.
f.e.
to settle down and pursue one's life's workto find one's place in life and career
Examples
- ，安身立命。Hěn duō rén dào dà chéngshì dǎgōng, xīwàng néng ān shēn lì mìng.Many people go to big cities to work, hoping to settle down and build a life.
- ，安身立命。Duìyú tā lái shuō, ān shēn lì mìng shì rénshēng de jīchǔ.For him, settling down and finding his life's work is the foundation of life.
- 安身立命。Zhè běn shū jiǎngshù le yí gè gǔrén ān shēn lì mìng de gùshi.This book tells the story of an ancient person who settled and established his life's mission.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.