…的一生，是…的一生
his life was a life of …
Structure
某人 的一生 ， 是 评价 的一生 （， 是 评价 的一生）
What it means
The eulogy's verdict on a finished life: 'his life was a life of …'. 一生 is repeated, and the modifier before it carries the praise.
How it is built
Someone + 的一生，是 + praise (勤劳的, 光辉的, 为…奋斗的) + 的一生, often stacked two to four times: 他的一生，是兢兢业业、克己奉公的一生 (His life was a life of conscientious, selfless service).
When to use it
Official eulogies, obituaries and memorial speeches. Use it only of the dead, or of a life looked back on at its very end; for the living say 他这一辈子…. In a family tribute it can sound stiff.
Watch out
Keep the second 的一生. Without it you get a plain description (他的一生很勤劳), not the formal verdict ✓ 他的一生，是勤劳的一生.
Examples
他的一生，是兢兢业业、克己奉公的一生。
His life was a life of conscientious work and selfless public service.
袁隆平的一生，是为了让人人吃饱饭而奋斗的一生。
Yuan Longping’s life was a life of striving so that everyone would have enough to eat.
她的一生，是平凡的一生，也是充实的一生。
Hers was an ordinary life, and a full one.
Learn this in Lesson 256 · HSK 9+: 悼词 (The eulogy)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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