经文 (jīng wén) — (religious) scripture, sacred text | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A noun for a written religious scripture or sacred text (e.g. Buddhist sutras, biblical passages). Compared with the generic 经典, 经文 specifically refers to the holy text itself rather than a classic work.

noun

(religious) scripturesacred text

Measure word · 本

Examples

经文。
Sēng rén měi tiān dōu huì niàn sòng jīng wén.
Monks recite scriptures every day.
经文。
Tā yán jiū gǔ dài jīng wén hěn duō nián le.
He has studied ancient scriptures for many years.
经文。
Zhè bù jīng wén duì xìn tú yǒu tè shū yì yì.
This sacred text holds special meaning for believers.

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.

经jīngclassic

The '经' (classic) specifies the kind of '文' (text) involved.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 經; 经 is its simplified writing.

糹巠經

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糹Written in full as糸mìsilk; thread

Sound part声符shēngfú

巠

巠jīng經jīng

Same sound today

The traditional form 經 combines 糹 (silk; thread) with 巠, which gives the sound.

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

The current form 文 shows a man with head, arms, legs, and chest; the tattoo marks on the chest are no longer drawn.

Appears in

Reading & Writing Religion & Belief

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