就木

Chinese

 
at once; then; right away
at once; then; right away; only; (emphasis); to approach; to move towards; to undertake
tree; wood
simp. and trad.
(就木)
就 木
Literally: “to enter the coffin”.

Etymology

《左傳·僖公二十三年》:

將適齊,謂季隗曰:「待我二十五年,不來而後嫁。」對曰:「我二十五年矣,又如是而嫁,則就木焉。請待子。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
将适齐,谓季隗曰:「待我二十五年,不来而后嫁。」对曰:「我二十五年矣,又如是而嫁,则就木焉。请待子。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4th century BCE
Jiāng shì Qí, wèi Jì Wěi yuē: “Dài wǒ èrshíwǔ nián, bùlái érhòu jià.” Duìyuē: “Wǒ èrshíwǔ nián yǐ, yòu rúshì ér jià, zé jiùmù yān. Qǐng dài zǐ.” [Pinyin]
[Prince Chong'er and his entourage] were about to leave for Qi. The prince told Ji Wei: "Wait twenty-five years for me, and if by then I fail to come back, get married." She replied: "I am twenty-five years old. After another twenty-five years' wait to 'get married', I will be at one with trees (i.e., trees planted by the grave, or wooden coffin) already. Let me wait for you."

Pronunciation


Verb

就木

  1. (chiefly literary) to die

Derived terms

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