Definition
放生 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to release captive animals', often associated with Buddhist mercy practices where fish, birds, or turtles are freed. The verb can split: the object 生 can be modified by a measure word or complement between 放 and 生, as in 放了一次生 ('released animals once') or 放了三条生 ('released three animals').
v.o.
to release captive animals (especially as a Buddhist practice of compassion)
Examples
- 放生。Fójiàotú jīngcháng zài jiérì qù hú biān fàng shēng.Buddhists often go to the lake to release animals during festivals.
- ，。Tā jīntiān fàng le bù shǎo shēng, yǒu yú yě yǒu niǎo.He released quite a few animals today, including fish and birds.
- 放生。fàng shēng shì yì zhǒng jīdé de xíngwéi.Releasing animals is a virtuous act.
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