梵

fàn

凡 + 林

Definitions

fàn abbr. for 梵教[fàn jiào] Brahmanism; abbr. for Sanskrit 梵語|梵语[fàn yǔ] or 梵文[fàn wén]; abbr. for 梵蒂岡|梵蒂冈[fàn dì gāng], the Vatican

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 林 represents the meaning and 凡 represents the sound.

Semantic: 林 Phonetic: 凡

About

梵 (fàn) is a phonosemantic compound used mainly to transcribe the Sanskrit concept of Brahma and other Buddhist terms from ancient India, appearing in religious, philosophical, and linguistic contexts. It combines the semantic component 林 (lín, "forest") with the phonetic component 凡 (fán); although 凡 means "ordinary", here it simply indicates pronunciation. The forest radical references the early ascetic monks who retreated into forests to meditate, giving the character its overtones of tranquility, purity, and detachment from worldly life.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他在学习梵文。

Tā zài xuéxí fànwén.

He is studying Sanskrit.

梵音传播得很远。

Fànyīn chuánbō dé hěn yuǎn.

The Buddhist chants spread far away.

这座梵刹历史悠久。

Zhè zuò fànchà lìshǐ yōujiǔ.

This Buddhist temple has a long history.

梵语是一种古老的语言。

Fànyǔ shì yī zhǒng gǔlǎo de yǔyán.

Sanskrit is an ancient language.

她喜欢听梵呗的音乐。

Tā xǐhuān tīng fànbài de yīnyuè.

She likes listening to the music of Buddhist hymns.

梵蒂冈是教皇的所在地。

Fàndìgāng shì jiàohuáng de suǒzàidì.

The Vatican is the seat of the Pope.

研究梵文需要耐心和专注。

Yánjiū fànwén xūyào nàixīn hé zhuānzhù.

Studying Sanskrit requires patience and concentration.

通过梵文典籍，我们可以了解古印度文化。

Tōngguò fànwén diǎnjí, wǒmen kěyǐ liǎojiě gǔ yìndù wénhuà.

Through Sanskrit texts, we can understand ancient Indian culture.

Related Characters

Component: 凡

Component: 林

梵