我出生
wǒ chūshēng
The English phrase "I was born" is translated into Chinese as 我出生 (wǒ chūshēng).
This phrase is used to state the time or place of one's birth.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 出生 is a compound of 出 (to go out/emerge) and 生 (to give birth/life).
How does it change in a sentence?
When specifying the location of birth, you must use the preposition 在 before the place, as in 我出生在 [place]. In formal written contexts, 于 can be used instead of 在 to indicate the place or time of birth.
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ chūshēng
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might be tempted to add the aspect particle 了 to indicate the past, but 我出生 is sufficient to state the fact of one's birth.
Did you know?
- In some dialects, people may refer to their birth as 出世, which in certain Buddhist contexts can also mean 'leaving the material world' or achieving enlightenment.
- To describe the act of being born in a more colloquial or 'earthy' way, speakers might use 落地, which literally means 'to touch the ground'.
- In traditional Chinese culture, the phrase 出生 is often accompanied by the concept of 'Eight Characters' 八字, which are the specific time markers of birth used for fortune telling.
Examples in context
- 我出生在上海。I was born in Shanghai.This sentence is useful for stating the city of your birth using 我出生.Tatoeba #9991970 by GlossaMatik, translation #10372344 by DaoSeng
- 我出生在宝山区。I was born in Baoshan District.This sentence is useful for stating the specific district of your birth using 我出生.Tatoeba #10024452 by GlossaMatik, translation #10259098 by bekindtoall
- 我出生在俄罗斯。I was born in Russia.This sentence is useful for stating the country of your birth using 我出生.Tatoeba #12686737 by soueihin, translation #1084690 by Katheriinne
- 我生于一九九零年。I was born in 1990.
- 我出生在北京。I was born in Beijing.
- 我是在一个小镇出生的。I was born in a small town.
- 我出生於台北。I was born in Taipei.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their hometowns at a cafe.
- 俊杰 Junjie你出生在哪里？Nǐ chūshēng zài nǎlǐ?Where were you born?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我出生在广州。Wǒ chūshēng zài Guǎngzhōu.I was born in Guangzhou.
- 俊杰 Junjie那是一个很漂亮的地方。Nà shì yīgè hěn piàoliang de dìfāng.That is a very beautiful place.
- 佳怡 Jiayi是的，我很喜欢那里。Shì de, wǒ hěn xǐhuān nàlǐ.Yes, I like it there very much.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
