About
The character 尼 combines the radical 尸 (representing a corpse or seated person) over the component 匕 (originally depicting a person, though it resembles a spoon or dagger). Its early meaning conveyed physical closeness or intimacy, picturing two figures near each other. Through phonetic borrowing, 尼 became the standard transcription for the Sanskrit term "bhikkhuni", acquiring its primary modern sense of a Buddhist nun. Consequently, the original idea of proximity has largely fallen from use, with the character now mainly denoting female monastics or appearing in transliterated foreign names.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
那位尼姑很善良。
这件衣服是尼龙的。
尼泊尔是一个美丽的国家。
香烟中含有尼古丁。
尼罗河是世界上最长的河流。
威尼斯是意大利的水城。
印尼的巴厘岛很有名。
尼采的哲学思想影响深远。