一辈子
yī bèi zi · HSK 5
(for) a lifetime
⏳ 一 (one) + 辈 (generation) + 子 (noun suffix) = one whole generation, a lifetime
辈 means generation or cohort; 一辈 is literally one generation. The 子 suffix nominalizes it. So 一辈子 = the span of one generation = a whole lifetime.
一 — single horizontal stroke
一 is one of the simplest pictographs in Chinese, depicting a single horizontal line to represent the number one. It has retained essentially the same form since oracle bone script over 3,000 years ago. By extension it also means 'first,' 'whole,' or 'same.'
辈 — non/not 非 + cart 车
Originally depicted a line of chariots (车) arranged in rows, with 非 indicating rows facing opposite directions. From 'row of carts' it extended to mean a generation, cohort, or class of people. Today it commonly means 'generation' or marks a group, as in 长辈 (elders).
子 — pictograph of a baby/child with arms out
子 began as a pictograph of a swaddled infant with a large head and outstretched arms, originally meaning 'baby' or 'child.' From there it broadened to 'son,' 'offspring,' and a respectful suffix for masters like 孔子 (Confucius). It also became one of the twelve earthly branches.