入土为安
rù tǔ wéi ān
the dead are at rest only once buried
Character by character
入rù
enter
enter
土tǔ
earth
earth
为wéi
become
become
安ān
at peace
at peace
Example
老一辈人讲究入土为安，很多人不愿意火化。
The older generation set great store by being laid to rest in the earth, and many do not want to be cremated.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
为 is read wéi. The old belief behind the preference for burial; now also said when ashes are buried, or when a family finally settles a funeral after a delay.
Learn this in Lesson 44 · HSK 5–6: 白事与清明 (Funerals and remembering the dead)
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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