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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'during one's lifetime' with 生前 (shēngqián)

    Time Expressions

    Explanation

    生前 (shēngqián) means "during one's lifetime" or "before one's death," used to refer to actions or states that occurred while a person was still alive. It is typically used when talking about someone who has already passed away. The term literally combines 生 (life) and 前 (before).

    Examples

    • 她生前最喜欢弹钢琴。

      Tā shēngqián zuì xǐhuān tán gāngqín.

      She loved playing the piano most during her lifetime.

    • 这位画家生前并不出名。

      Zhè wèi huàjiā shēngqián bìng bù chūmíng.

      This painter was not famous during his lifetime.

    • 他生前写了很多书，但大部分没有出版。

      Tā shēngqián xiě le hěn duō shū, dàn dà bùfèn méiyǒu chūbǎn.

      He wrote many books during his lifetime, but most were never published.

    Expressing 'during one's lifetime' with 生前 (shēngqián) | Chinese Grammar