Definition
罹难 is a formal, written verb-object compound (离合词) meaning 'to die in a disaster or accident'. It is commonly used in news reports and official statements, and carries a solemn tone. As a separable verb, you can insert aspect markers like 了 or 过 between 罹 and 难 (e.g., 罹了难 'suffered a fatal disaster'), though the unsplit form is more frequent. Do not confuse with the more colloquial 遇难 (yù nàn) — 罹难 is more literary.
v.o.
to die in a disaster or accidentto be killed (in a tragic event)
Examples
- ，罹难。Zài nà cì kōngnàn zhōng, yǒu shù shí rén lí nàn.Dozens of people died in that plane crash.
- ，。Tā lí le nàn, jiārén zhìjīn bēitòng bù yǐ.He died in the disaster, and his family is still deeply grieved.
- 罹难。Zhè chǎng dìzhèn dǎozhì shù qiān rén lí nàn.This earthquake caused thousands of people to die.
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