生灵涂炭 in English sheng1 ling2 tu2 tan4 Meaning

Meanings

  • people are in a terrible situation (idiomatic expression)

Simplified Characters

生 灵 涂 炭

Traditional Characters

生 靈 塗 炭

Pinyin

sheng1 ling2 tu2 tan4

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

生sheng1to be born 灵ling2quick 涂tu2to apply (paint etc) 炭tan4wood charcoal