生死攸关

You usually use this as an adjective to describe a moment or a decision. You can say something is a 生死攸关 the moment (时刻) or a 生死攸关 choice (抉择). It often follows the subject directly to show gravity. For example, "This meeting is 生死攸关." It adds immediate weight to your words. Use it when you want everyone to stop joking and focus.

Use it during medical emergencies or major rescue operations. It fits perfectly in high-pressure business negotiations. Use it when discussing environmental crises or national security. Even in personal life, use it for life-changing decisions. If you are choosing a career path, it might feel 生死攸关. It signals that you are taking the situation very seriously.

Avoid using this for trivial daily inconveniences. If your favorite bubble tea shop is closed, it isn't 生死攸关. Using it for small things makes you sound overly dramatic. Your friends might roll their eyes if you use it for a video game. Unless you are being intentionally funny, keep it for the big stuff. It’s a powerful tool; don't blunt the edge by overusing it.

This expression comes from classical Chinese roots. The character 攸 (yōu) is an old-school way to say "that which." It reflects a traditional Chinese worldview where balance is everything. Historically, it appeared in literature describing wars and dynastic shifts. It carries the weight of centuries of high-stakes history. It’s a phrase that commands respect in any conversation.

You might hear people say 生死关头 (shēng sǐ guān tóu). That specifically refers to the "critical juncture" itself. While 生死攸关 describes the nature of the situation, 生死关头 describes the timing. Another one is 性命交关 (xìng mìng jiāo guān), which is slightly more literal about physical life. Stick to 生死攸关 for the most versatile, high-level impact.