Definitions

shèng (adjective) holy; sacred
shèng (noun) sage; saint

Etymology

Simplified form of . Depicts listening () to what is spoken (). 𡈼 represents the sound.

About

The character 圣, now representing holiness or sagehood, originates from the traditional form 聖 composed of 耳 (ear), 口 (mouth), and 王 (king), a structure that originally denoted a wise person who listens and speaks with authority. Over time, its meaning expanded to encompass sacred and divine qualities in various cultural contexts. The simplified form 圣 incorporates the components 又 (hand) and 土 (earth), and while this graph historically existed as a separate character with meanings related to excavation or hearing, it now carries the semantic range associated with 聖.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

今天是诞节。

Jīntiān shì Shèngdànjié.

Today is Christmas.

孔子是中国人。

Kǒngzǐ shì Zhōngguó shèngrén.

Confucius is a Chinese sage.

耶路撒冷是城。

Yēlùsālěng shì shèngchéng.

Jerusalem is a holy city.

奥运火传递开始了。

Àoyùn shènghuǒ chuándì kāishǐ le.

The Olympic flame relay has started.

皇帝颁布了旨。

Huángdì bānbù le shèngzhǐ.

The emperor issued an imperial edict.

她的心灵非常洁。

Tā de xīnlíng fēicháng shèngjié.

Her soul is very holy.

殿的仪式庄严肃穆。

Shèngdiàn de yíshì zhuāngyán sùmù.

The ceremony in the temple is solemn and reverent.

人的教诲影响深远。

Shèngrén de jiàohuì yǐngxiǎng shēnyuǎn.

The teachings of sages have a profound influence.