Definition
贪生怕死 is a four-character idiom (chengyu) that literally means 'greedy for life, afraid of death'. It describes someone who is a coward — so afraid of danger or death that they will avoid any risk, even for a noble cause. It's often used as a predicate or attributive to criticize someone's lack of courage or principle.
f.e.
cowardlycravento cling to life and fear death
Examples
- ,贪生怕死。Zài zhànchǎng shàng, tān shēng pà sǐ de shìbīng huì bèi zhànyǒu kànbuqǐ.On the battlefield, soldiers who are cowards will be looked down upon by their comrades.
- 贪生怕死,。Tā zhège rén tān shēng pà sǐ, cónglái bù gǎn wèi zhèngyì fāshēng.He is a coward and never dares to speak up for justice.
- 贪生怕死,。Zhēnzhèng de yīngxióng bù huì tān shēng pà sǐ, ér shì yǒngyú xīshēng.A true hero is not a coward but is willing to sacrifice.
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