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What does jiùmìng (救命) mean in an emergency?

Jiùmìng (救命) means help or save me.

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  1. Thank you
  2. Help or save me ✔
  3. Goodbye

Why: Jiù (救) means to save, and mìng (命) means life. Shout this in a life-threatening emergency to get attention.

Huh, didn't know that: The dictionary lists jiùmìng both as to save a life and as the shout Help! Save me!

The dad joke
I yelled jiùmìng at the dumpling stall. Turns out I was just very hungry.
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References

Answer: Help or save me. Jiù (救) means to save, and mìng (命) means life. Shout this in a life-threatening emergency to get attention.

  1. MDBG Chinese-English Dictionary: 救命 www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdrst=0&wdqb=%E6%95%91%E5%91%BD
    to save sb's life / (interj.) Help! / Save me!
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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