慈

cí

兹 + 心

Definitions

cí (adjective) compassionate; kind; merciful

Etymology phono-semantic

heart

Semantic: 心 Phonetic: 兹

About

慈 is a phono-semantic compound: the heart radical 心 (xīn) below indicates its connection to emotions, while 兹 (zī, 'this' or 'now') above gives the pronunciation. From its earliest use, the character has referred to compassion, gentleness, and a deep parental (especially maternal) affection, the benevolent love an older person feels for a child. It also consistently implies kindness, mercy, tenderness, and the inclination to care for the vulnerable.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

她的心地很仁慈。

Tā de xīndì hěn réncí.

She has a very kind heart.

母亲慈爱地抱着孩子。

Mǔqīn cí'ài de bàozhe háizi.

The mother lovingly held the child.

奶奶的笑容很慈祥。

Nǎinai de xiàoróng hěn cíxiáng.

Grandma's smile is very kind and gentle.

慈善机构帮助了许多人。

Císhàn jīgòu bāngzhù le xǔduō rén.

The charity organization helped many people.

这位长者总是慈眉善目的。

Zhè wèi zhǎngzhě zǒng shì címéishànmù de.

This elder always has a kindly face and a benevolent look.

他怀着一颗慈悲心对待众生。

Tā huáizhe yī kē cíbēi xīn duìdài zhòngshēng.

He treats all living beings with a compassionate heart.

她的慈心善举赢得了人们的尊敬。

Tā de cí xīn shàn jǔ yíngdé le rénmen de zūnjìng.

Her compassionate heart and good deeds earned people's respect.

慈善不仅是捐款，更是传递温暖。

Císhàn bùjǐn shì juānkuǎn, gèng shì chuándì wēnnuǎn.

Charity is not just about donating money; it is more about spreading warmth.

Related Characters

Component: 兹

Component: 心

慈