辈 bèi generation
generation; lifetime
How to remember 辈: 非 not + 车 car = generation. Grandpa pats the old car that will not break down and says "It has driven our kids for a whole generation!"
Component breakdown
辈 = 非 not + 车 car
- 非 not
- 车 car
Grandpa pats the old car that will not break down and says "It has driven our kids for a whole generation!"
How it is used
- Marks generation/seniority rank. 长辈 (zhǎngbèi) one's elders, 前辈 (qiánbèi) a senior/predecessor in a field, 晚辈 (wǎnbèi) juniors.
- 一辈子 (yíbèizi) = a whole lifetime - 一辈子的朋友 (yíbèizi de péngyou) a friend for life. These generational terms matter a lot in Chinese social etiquette.