气息奄奄 Qì xī yān yān gasping

Explanation

形容气息微弱，快要断气的样子。也比喻事物衰败没落，即将灭亡。

Describes weak breathing, about to die. It is also used to describe the decline and fall of things.

Origin Story

晋武帝时期，名臣李密因祖母年迈体弱，气息奄奄，写下了著名的《陈情表》，请求免官回家侍奉祖母。文中描述了祖母的年老体衰，以及自己对祖母的孝心，感动了晋武帝，最终李密得以回家尽孝。李密的故事千百年来一直被传颂，成为孝敬长辈的典范。他不仅展现了对祖母的深情厚谊，更体现了中华民族尊老爱幼的传统美德。他的故事也让后人明白，孝道不是简单的口头承诺，而是需要用实际行动去践行。在那个时代，孝敬父母是人们最基本的道德准则，而李密以身作则，用自己的行动诠释了孝道的真谛。他的故事也警示着我们，无论何时何地，都应该牢记孝道，尽心尽力地照顾好自己的父母，让他们安享晚年。

jìn wǔ dì shíqī, míng chén lǐ mì yīn zǔmǔ niánmài tǐ ruò, qì xī yān yān, xiě xià le zhùmíng de 《chén qíng biǎo》, qǐngqiú miǎn guān huí jiā shìfèng zǔmǔ。wén zhōng miáoshù le zǔmǔ de nián lǎo tǐ shuāi, yǐ jí zìjǐ duì zǔmǔ de xiàoxīn, gǎndòng le jìn wǔ dì, zuìzhōng lǐ mì déyǐ huí jiā jìn xiào。lǐ mì de gùshì qiānbǎi nián lái yīzhí bèi chuánsòng, chéngwéi xiàojìng zhǎngbèi de diǎnfàn。tā bù jǐn zhǎnxian le duì zǔmǔ de shēn qíng hòuyì, gèng tǐxiàn le zhōnghuá mínzú zūnlǎo àiyòu de chuántǒng měidé。tā de gùshì yě ràng hòurén míngbái, xiàodào bùshì jiǎndān de kǒutóu chéngnuò, érshì xūyào yòng shíjì xíngdòng qù jiànxíng。zài nàge shí dài, xiàojìng fùmǔ shì rénmen zuì jīběn de dàodé zhǔnzé, ér lǐ mì yǐ shēn zuòzé, yòng zìjǐ de xíngdòng qiánshì le xiàodào de zhēndì。tā de gùshì yě jǐngshìzhe wǒmen, wúlùn héshí hé dì, dōu yīnggāi láo jì xiàodào, jìn xīn jì lì de zhàogù hǎo zìjǐ de fùmǔ, ràng tāmen ānxǐng wǎnnián。

During the reign of Emperor Wu of Jin, the famous official Li Mi wrote the famous "Chen Qing Biao" to request exemption from his post in order to return home and care for his aged and frail grandmother, whose life was nearing its end. The text describes his grandmother's old age and infirmity and Li Mi's filial piety, deeply moving the emperor, who ultimately granted Li Mi permission to return home to care for his grandmother. Li Mi's story has been passed down for centuries, becoming a model of filial piety. He not only showed his deep affection for his grandmother but also embodied the Chinese tradition of respecting elders and cherishing children. His story teaches us that filial piety isn't a mere verbal commitment, but requires action. In that era, respecting parents was the most fundamental moral principle, and Li Mi set an example by acting out the true meaning of filial piety. His story reminds us that, wherever and whenever, we should always remember filial piety and diligently care for our parents so they can enjoy their later years.

Usage

用于形容人或事物垂危衰败，即将灭亡。

yòng yú miáoshù rén huò shìwù chuíwēi shuāibài, jíjiāng mièwáng。

Used to describe a person or thing that is critically ill or near death or on the verge of collapse.

Examples

• 老张躺在床上，气息奄奄，令人担忧。

  lǎo zhāng tǎng zài chuáng shang, qì xī yān yān, lìng rén dānyōu。

  Old Zhang lay in bed, his breath weak and shallow, causing worry.

• 公司业绩下滑，情况气息奄奄，需要改革。

  gōngsī yèjī xiàhuá, qíngkuàng qì xī yān yān, xūyào gǎigé。

  The company's performance is declining; the situation is weak and needs reform.

• 这个项目已经气息奄奄了，我们必须想办法挽救。

  zhège xiàngmù yǐjīng qì xī yān yān le, wǒmen bìxū xiǎng bànfǎ wǎnjiù。

  This project is already weak and we must find ways to save it.

Related Idioms

• 奄奄一息

• 苟延残喘

Opposite Idioms

• 生龙活虎

• 生气勃勃