About
The phono-semantic compound 寺 (sì) currently means a temple or monastery. It combines the semantic component 寸 (cùn), a unit of measurement or hand, suggesting rules, with 土 (tǔ), meaning earth or ground, positioned at the top. Historically, during the early imperial dynasties, 寺 referred not to religious buildings but to government offices, ministries, or courts. With the introduction of Buddhism, foreign monks were initially housed in these administrative structures, causing the character’s meaning to shift permanently. It became the standard term for a Buddhist temple or place of worship, largely supplanting its original bureaucratic sense.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我去寺庙拜佛。
这座寺很古老。
寺庙里有很多和尚。
早上我去寺里散步。
寺院周围很安静。
我们计划参观那座著名的寺。
为了祈福，他们经常去寺庙。
虽然下雨，但我们还是决定去寺里参加活动。