Definition
轻生 is a verb-object compound (离合词) meaning 'to commit suicide' — literally 'to treat life lightly.' It implies a conscious decision to end one's life, often due to despair or unbearable circumstances. As a separable verb, the object 生 can be separated from the verb 轻 by aspect markers (了, 过) or measure words: 轻了生 ('committed suicide'), 轻过一次生 ('attempted suicide once'). In modern usage, it is a formal or literary term; in everyday speech, 自杀 is more common.
v.o.
to commit suicide (lit. to treat life lightly)
Examples
- ，。Tā yīnwèi pòchǎn, chàdiǎn qīng le shēng.He almost committed suicide because of bankruptcy.
- 轻生。Tā céngjīng yǒu guò qīng shēng de niàntou.She once had suicidal thoughts.
- 轻生。qīng shēng bú shì jiějué wèntí de bànfǎ.Suicide is not a solution to problems.
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