遗嘱
yí zhǔ
The English phrase "last will" is translated into Mandarin as 遗嘱 (yí zhǔ).
The term 遗嘱 is used in legal contexts to refer to formal last wills and testaments. You can use the phrase 写遗嘱 to mean "write a will".
What does it mean word for word?
The word 遗嘱 is composed of 遗 (yí), meaning to leave behind or bequeath and 嘱 (zhǔ), meaning to instruct or enjoin.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting a will, use the classifier 份 (fèn). In formal or legal contexts, the verb 立 (lì), meaning to establish or set up, is used with 遗嘱 to mean the act of making a will (立遗嘱).
How do you pronounce it?
yí zhǔ
Did you know?
- In many Chinese cultures, discussing a 遗嘱 (yízhǔ) while someone is still alive can be seen as extremely unlucky or a 'taboo' topic. It is often handled with extreme discretion to avoid the appearance of wishing for death or discussing misfortune.
- The character 嘱 in 遗嘱 also appears in the word 嘱咐, which means to give a warm or caring reminder. This links the legal act of a will to a traditional act of familial care and guidance.
- People often use the phrase 后事, meaning 'after-affairs', to discuss final wishes including funeral arrangements and spiritual requests.
Examples in context
- 我需要准备一份遗嘱。I need to prepare a last will.
- 我想和你谈谈我的最后的遗愿。I want to talk to you about my last wishes.
- 我的父母都写过遗嘱。Both of my parents have written a will.
- 他留下了一份遗嘱。He left a will.
- 他写了一份遗嘱。Tā xiěle yī fèn yízhǔ.He wrote a will.
- 这份遗嘱非常重要。Zhè fèn yízhǔ fēicháng zhòngyào.This will is very important.
- 律师正在检查遗嘱。Lǜshī zhèngzài jiǎnchá yízhǔ.The lawyer is checking the will.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a legal matter in a cafe.
- 佳怡 Jiayi关于那份遗嘱，你看了吗？Guānyú nà fèn yízhǔ, nǐ kànle ma?Have you read that will?
- 俊杰 Junjie还没，我还没时间看。Hái méi, wǒ hái méi shíjiān kàn.Not yet, I haven't had time to look.
- 佳怡 Jiayi俊杰，你应该尽快确认一下。Jùnjié, nǐ yīnggāi jǐnkuài quèrèn yīxià.Junjie, you should confirm it as soon as possible.
- 俊杰 Junjie我知道了，谢谢你的提醒。Wǒ zhīdàole, xièxiè nǐ de tíxǐng.I know, thanks for the reminder.
