Definition
降生 is a formal, reverent verb meaning 'to be born', used almost exclusively for the founders of religions (e.g., Buddha, Jesus) or other highly revered figures. It carries a sense of incarnation or divine arrival, so you should not use it for ordinary births — use 出生 or 生 instead. You'll encounter it in religious texts, biographies of saints, and solemn historical accounts.
verb
to be born (used for religious founders or sacred figures)to be incarnated
Examples
- 降生。Shìjiāmóu ní jiàng shēng yú gōngyuán qián wǔ shìjì.Sakyamuni was born in the 5th century BCE.
- 降生。Chuánshuō zhōng zhè wèi shèngrén jiàng shēng shí tiān yǒu yìxiàng.Legend says that when this sage was born, the sky showed unusual signs.
- 降生。Jīdūjiào xiāngxìn Yēsū jiàng shēng shì wèile zhěngjiù shìrén.Christianity believes that Jesus was incarnated to save humankind.
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