施主 (shī zhǔ) — (Buddhism) alms giver, benefactor (a layperson…

Definition

A term a Buddhist monk uses to address a layperson who gives donations to the temple. It also means 'organ donor' in a medical context.

noun

(Buddhism) alms giverbenefactor (a layperson who supports monks or temples)(medical) organ donor

Measure word · 位

Easily confused

施主。
Zhè wèi shī zhǔ měi yuè dōu lái sì miào juān qián.
This benefactor comes to the temple every month to donate money.
施主，。
Tā shì yí wèi qì guān shī zhǔ, jiù le sān gè rén de mìng.
He is an organ donor who saved three lives.
施主，。
Gǎn xiè gè wèi shī zhǔ de zhī chí, sì miào cái néng xiū shàn.
Thanks to the support of all benefactors, the temple could be renovated.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

施 'give' and 主 'person' together name one who gives alms or a donated organ.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

㫃㫃㫃

Sound part声符shēngfú

也

也yě施shī

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

施 pairs 㫃, the part connected to its meaning, with 也, the part giving its sound.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The old forms that became 主 showed a lamp or torch with a flame at the top; other forms showed wood on fire or a spirit tablet.