致命

致命 means 'fatal' or 'lethal,' describing something that causes death or serious harm. It is often used to describe injuries, diseases, or situations that are life-threatening.

The character 致 (zhì) originally meant 'to arrive' or 'to cause,' and 命 (mìng) means 'life' or 'fate.' Together, they form a word emphasizing the power to end life, making it distinct from other terms like 'dangerous' or 'harmful.'

致命 is commonly used in medical, legal, and everyday contexts. For example, a fatal accident, a fatal illness, or a fatal flaw. In Chinese culture, it emphasizes the severity of an outcome, often used to stress the importance of caution and responsibility.