安息
ānxī
安息 (ānxī) is the Mandarin way to say "rest in peace".
安息 is used as a blessing or an expression of hope. It is often incorporated into prayers or formal wishes, such as the structure 愿…安息, which translates to "May … rest in peace".
Meaning: blessing or expression of hope (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 安息 is composed of 安 (ān), meaning "peaceful" or "calm" and 息 (xī), meaning "to rest".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
安息 is a formal and respectful term suitable for the context of death and mourning.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle 吧 to 安息 to form 安息吧 creates a command or a gentle exhortation, which is a common way to say "Rest in peace".
How do you pronounce it?
ānxī
Did you know?
- The term 安息 was originally used as a phonetic transcription for the name of Arsaces I, the founder of the Parthian dynasty.
- In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of 'peace' in death often involves specific rituals to ensure the spirit does not become a 'hungry ghost'.
- While 安息 is formal, many people prefer the phrase 一路走好, which literally tells the deceased to 'walk well on your way'.
Examples in context
- 愿你的在天之灵安息。May your soul rest in peace.This sentence demonstrates how to use the structure 愿…安息 to express a wish for a soul to rest in peace.Tatoeba #11706391 by Jokubas, translation #761571 by Scott
- 安息吧。Rest in peace.This sentence shows how to use 安息吧 as a gentle exhortation.Tatoeba #13744202 by fup6m3vj0, translation #692884 by CM
- 请接受我最诚挚的慰问，愿逝者安息。Please accept my sincere condolences, may the deceased rest in peace.
- 他在世时为人慈爱，愿他现在能够安息。He was a kind person in his lifetime, may he rest in peace now.
- 听到他离世的消息，我感到非常悲痛，希望他能够安息。I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing, may he rest in peace.
- 我们将永远怀念他离世前的美好时光，希望他在天堂能够安息。We will always cherish the times we had before his passing and hope he can rest in peace in heaven.
- 他选择了离开这个世界，希望他在天堂能够安息吧。He chose to leave this world, may he rest in peace in heaven.
- 虽然他离世了，但是我们会一直记得他，希望他能够安息吧。Even though he has passed away, we will always remember him, may he rest in peace.
- 愿他的灵魂能够永远安好，不再受世间的痛苦之累。May his soul be forever at peace and no longer suffer from worldly troubles.
- 愿逝者安息。Yuàn shìzhě ānxī.May the deceased rest in peace.
Example conversation
Jiayi and Wei are visiting a cemetery to pay their respects.
- 佳怡 Jiayi看着这些照片，我很难过。kànzhe zhèxiē zhàopiàn, wǒ hěn nánguò.Looking at these photos, I feel very sad.
- 伟 Wei不要太难过了，佳怡。búyào tài nánguò le, Jiāyí.Don't be too sad, Jiayi.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我只希望他能安息。wǒ zhǐ xīwàng tā néng ānxī.I only hope that he can rest in peace.
- 伟 Wei是的，他现在已经解脱了。shì de, tā xiànzài yǐjīng jiětuō le.Yes, he is free from suffering now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rest in peace” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 安息, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
