死的
sǐ de
In Chinese, the English word "dead" is translated as 死的 (sǐ de).
死的 is an adjective meaning no longer alive. It is the direct opposite of 活的 (alive). To describe the specific event or process of dying, you may use the compound verb 死掉.
Meaning: no longer alive (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the adjective 死 (dead) followed by the structural particle 的 (de) used to form an adjective phrase.
Which one should you use?
While 死的 is the standard adjective for dead, other forms are used for different nuances. The word 死了 is the most common informal way to say one is dead or has died. In contrast, 去世 and 辞世 are more formal options used to express the concept of death.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the informal way to say dead is 死咗.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe the action of dying, the compound verb 死掉 is frequently used.
How do you pronounce it?
sǐ de
Did you know?
- In Chinese, the word 死 can also be used as a suffix to express an extreme degree, such as in 饿死了 meaning 'starving to death' or 'extremely hungry'.
- In many Chinese cultures, avoiding the word 死 directly is a common way to show respect for the deceased or to avoid bad luck during funerals.
- The word 辞世 utilizes the character 辞, which also means 'to resign' or 'to decline', framing death as a dignified resignation from one's social duties.
Examples in context
- 你永远都无法救活一个装死的人。You'll never be able to revive someone who is only pretending to be dead.This sentence uses 死的 to describe someone pretending to be dead.Tatoeba #2221203 by sadhen, translation #2229502 by FeuDRenais2
- 這條蛇是活的還是死的？Is the snake alive or dead?This sentence uses 死的 to ask if a snake is dead or alive.Tatoeba #844495 by Martha, translation #49936 by CK
- 他因车祸而死亡。He died in a car accident.
- 我的祖父去世已经十年了。My grandfather passed away ten years ago.
- 文学界失去了一位伟大的作家。The literary world has lost a great writer.
- 他的宠物猫昨天死了。His pet cat died yesterday.
- 这个演员过世的消息传得很快。The news of this actor's death spread quickly.
- 这棵树已经是死的了。Zhè kē shù yǐjīng shì sǐ de le.This tree is already dead.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dead” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
