- 生灵涂炭 shēnglíngtútàn plunged into misery(idiom) people are plunged into an abyss of misery; describes the populace suffering extreme hardship, especially during times of war or social chaos
- 涂炭生灵 tútànshēnglíng the people are plunged into miseryPlunge the common people into an abyss of extreme suffering, typically due to war or oppressive rule
- 荼毒生灵 túdúshēnglíng to torment the peopleto cause great suffering to the people; to ravage or torment the populace