正果 (zhèng guǒ) — (Buddhism) the fruit of one's actions in a former life determining rebirth; (figurative) positive outcome, achievement (esp. after long effort, as in 修成正果)

Definition

A Buddhist term for the 'right fruit' — the good outcome earned through years of practice or moral cultivation. Used in the set phrase 修成正果, meaning to finally achieve a hard-won goal.

noun
(Buddhism) the fruit of one's actions in a former life determining rebirth(figurative) positive outcomeachievement (esp. after long effort, as in 修成正果)

Examples

  • ，正果。
    Jīng guò duō nián de nǔ lì, tā zhōng yú xiū chéng le zhèng guǒ.
    After years of hard work, he finally achieved his goal.
  • ，正果。
    Fó jīng lǐ shuō, xíng shàn jī dé cái néng dé dào zhèng guǒ.
    Buddhist scriptures say that doing good deeds accumulates virtue so one can attain the right fruit.
  • ，正果。
    Chuàng yè jiān xīn, néng jiān chí dào zuì hòu de dōu xiū chéng le zhèng guǒ.
    Starting a business is tough; those who persevere to the end all succeed.

Origin

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.

正zhèngtrue/correct
果guǒfruit/result

正 (true/correct) specifies the kind of 果 (fruit/result), giving the true attainment.

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
止止zhǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
丁
丁dīng正zhèng
Same sound today

正 pairs 止 with 丁; 止 marks the sense and 丁 gives the sound.

Open 正 →

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

果 originally drew fruits hanging on a tree.

Open 果 →

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