骨灰
gǔhuī
The English phrase 'ashes' is translated into Chinese as 骨灰 (gǔhuī).
The term 骨灰 is used specifically to refer to the cremated remains of a person or animal.
Meaning: remains (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 骨 (bone) and 灰 (ash/dust).
Which one should you use?
While 骨灰 refers to cremated remains, the term 灰烬 is used to refer to the remnants of something burned. In informal conversations, people frequently shorten 灰烬 to 灰.
How do you pronounce it?
gǔhuī
Did you know?
- In modern Chinese internet slang, 骨灰 is used to describe a 'hardcore' fan of an old game or hobby, such as a 骨灰级玩家 ('ashes-level player'). It suggests the person has been playing since the very beginning.
- When discussing the deceased, Chinese speakers often avoid the word 骨灰 in favor of euphemisms like 走在前面的亲人 ('relatives who walked ahead') to avoid the perceived bad luck of mentioning remains.
- While 骨灰 is the standard term, some Buddhist traditions in China use the term 舍利 ('sarira') to refer to the pearl-like ashes of a monk or Buddha, treating them as sacred relics rather than remains.
Examples in context
- 祖母的骨灰在寺院的骨灰瓮里。Grandmother's ashes are in an urn at the temple.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 骨灰 in a context involving a temple and an urn.Tatoeba #380185 by kellenparker, translation #329359 by fcbond
- 人的尸体被焚化后成为灰尘。A human body turns into ashes after cremation.
- 他把信件烧成了一堆灰烬。He burned the letters into a pile of ashes.
- 你的烟灰可以倒进这个灰缸里。You can dump your cigarette ashes into this ashtray.
- 他把父亲的骨灰撒在了海里。tā bǎ fù qīn de gǔ huī sā zài le hǎi lǐ.He scattered his father's ashes into the sea.
- 我们需要一个体面的骨灰盒。wǒ men xū yào yī gè tǐ miàn de gǔ huī hé.We need a decent urn for the ashes.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Jiayi are discussing a family member's funeral arrangements.
- 志强 Zhiqiang佳怡，我们怎么处理爷爷的骨灰？Jiāyí, wǒmen zěnme chǔlǐ yéye de gǔhuī?Jiayi, how should we handle Grandpa's ashes?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我想把骨灰放在家里的灵龛里。Wǒ xiǎng bǎ gǔhuī fàng zài jiālǐ de língkān lǐ.I want to put the ashes in the home altar.
- 志强 Zhiqiang那样的话，我们可以每天祭拜他。Nàyàng de huà, wǒmen kěyǐ měitiān jìbài tā.In that case, we can worship him every day.
- 佳怡 Jiayi是的，志强，我也这么觉得。Shì de, Zhìqiáng, wǒ yě zhème juéde.Yes, Zhiqiang, I feel the same way.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
