来世
The English phrase "next life" can be translated into Chinese as 来世.
来世 refers to the concept of the next life or reincarnation.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 来世 is composed of 来 meaning 'to come' and 世 meaning 'world' or 'age/lifetime'.
Which one should you use?
While 来世 is more formal and literary, 下辈子 is the common colloquial way to refer to one's next life in spoken conversation.
Did you know?
- In colloquial speech, 下辈子 uses the word 辈子, which originally referred to the lifespan of a person. The character 下 means 'below' or 'next', treating lifetimes like steps on a ladder.
- In some regional dialects, people may jokingly say 下辈子 when they are exhausted by a difficult task. It implies that they cannot finish the work in this life and will have to leave it for their next incarnation.
- In romantic dramas or poetry, a common trope is the 'promise of the 来世', where lovers swear to find each other again. This often involves the idea of a 'red thread of fate' that persists across different lifetimes.
Examples in context
- 希望来世还能遇见你。Xīwàng lái shì hái néng yùjiàn nǐ.I hope I can meet you again in the next life.
- 如果我们有来世，一定要在一起。Rúguǒ wǒmen yǒu lái shì, yīdìng yào zài yīqǐ.If there is a next life, we must be together.
Example conversation
A couple is watching a romantic movie together.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这部电影太感人了。Zhè bù diànyǐng tài gǎnrén le.This movie is so touching.
- 雨婷 Yuting我也想在来世见到他。Wǒ yě xiǎng zài lái shì jiàn dào tā.I also want to see him in the next life.
- 志强 Zhiqiang雨婷，你真浪漫。Yǔtíng, nǐ zhēn làngmàn.Yuting, you are so romantic.
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，你也是。Zhìqiáng, nǐ yě shì.Zhiqiang, you are too.
