诵经 (sòng jīng) — to chant or recite scriptures (especially Buddhist or Taoist)

Definition

To chant or recite Buddhist or Taoist scriptures aloud, typically as a religious practice in a temple. 比 念经 slightly more formal and focused on extended recitation of a full sutra.

verb
to chant or recite scriptures (especially Buddhist or Taoist)

Examples

  • 诵经。
    Tā měi tiān zǎo chén zài sì miào lǐ sòng jīng.
    He chants sutras in the temple every morning.
  • ，。
    Tā sòng le yí bù jīng, jiù xiū xi le.
    He chanted one sutra and then rested.
  • 诵经。
    sòng jīng De shí hou yào zhuān zhù.
    When chanting sutras, one must concentrate.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

诵sòngrecite
经jīngscripture

reciting scriptures, especially in religious practice.

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 誦; 诵 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yán
Sound part声符shēngfú
甬
甬yǒng誦sòng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 誦 pairs 言 (words) with 甬 to give the sound; the simplified 诵 is a later shorthand.

Open 诵 →

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.

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.

Open 经 →

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