Compassion involves deep empathy and an active desire to alleviate suffering in others.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Deep empathy and desire to help others.
- More than sympathy; includes active help.
- Universal care, especially for suffering.
Overview
慈悲（cíbēi）是一个源自佛教，但广泛应用于汉语日常交流中的词汇。它描述了一种深刻的、富有同情心的情感状态，表现为对他人的苦难感同身受，并愿意主动提供帮助和关怀。慈悲的核心在于“同体大悲”，即认为众生皆是平等的，他们的痛苦如同自己的痛苦一样值得关注和怜悯。这种情感超越了亲疏、种族、国界等界限，是一种普世的关怀。
在句子中，慈悲可以作为主语、宾语或定语出现。作为主语时，它强调了某种品质或精神，例如“慈悲是人类最宝贵的品质”。作为宾语时，它常与“有”、“怀有”、“充满”、“缺乏”等动词搭配，表示拥有或不拥有这种情感，例如“他向来以慈悲之心待人”。有时也用作定语，修饰名词，如“慈悲的目光”、“慈悲的行动”。
慈悲一词常出现在宗教、哲学、伦理道德的讨论中，尤其是在佛教语境下。在日常生活中，它也用于形容一个人善良、仁厚、乐于助人的品格。例如，我们会说某位医生“医术高明，更兼有慈悲之心”，或者某位慈善家“用慈悲的行动温暖了许多人”。在文学作品中，慈悲也是塑造人物形象、表达情感的重要词汇。
与“同情”（tóngqíng）相比，慈悲更深一层，它不仅是理解对方的痛苦，更包含了一种想要积极行动去帮助对方的意愿。同情可能仅仅是一种情感上的共鸣，而慈悲则是一种行动的驱动力。与“仁爱”（rén'ài）相比，仁爱更侧重于一种普遍的爱和关怀，而慈悲则更强调对苦难者的怜悯和救助。慈悲是仁爱在面对痛苦时的具体体现。
Examples
这位医生不仅医术高明，更以其慈悲之心赢得了病人的信赖。
everydayThis doctor is not only skilled but also earned patients' trust with his compassionate heart.
佛教教义强调慈悲为怀，普度众生。
academicBuddhist teachings emphasize holding compassion in one's heart and delivering all sentient beings.
看到那些流浪动物，我心里充满了慈悲。
informalSeeing those stray animals fills my heart with compassion.
在灾难面前，人与人之间的慈悲和互助显得尤为重要。
formalIn the face of disaster, compassion and mutual aid among people become particularly important.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
大慈大悲
Great compassion and mercy
慈悲为怀
To cherish compassion
心地善良
Kind-hearted
Often Confused With
Sympathy focuses on understanding or sharing another's sorrow. Compassion (慈悲) goes further, adding an active desire to help and alleviate that suffering.
Pity often implies looking down on someone in a weaker position. Compassion (慈悲) is a more equal and active form of care, without condescension.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '慈悲' carries a strong positive connotation, often associated with kindness, benevolence, and a desire to help those in need. It is frequently used in contexts discussing morality, ethics, and religious values, particularly Buddhism. While it can be used in everyday conversation, it often implies a deeper, more profound level of empathy and active care than simple sympathy.
Common Mistakes
Learners might sometimes confuse '慈悲' with mere pity or sympathy, underestimating the active element of wanting to help. Also, using it in contexts where a less profound emotion is intended might sound overly dramatic or insincere.
Tips
Emphasize action with compassion.
Don't just feel for others; consider how you can actively help alleviate their suffering. True compassion often leads to action.
Avoid pity without action.
Simply feeling sorry for someone isn't true compassion. It's important to move beyond passive pity towards active support if possible.
Buddhist roots influence meaning.
The concept is deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy, emphasizing universal love and the alleviation of suffering for all beings.
Word Origin
The word '慈悲' originates from Buddhist terminology. '慈' (cí) translates to loving-kindness or benevolence, and '悲' (bēi) translates to sorrow or compassion for suffering. Together, they represent the Buddhist ideals of selfless love and the desire to alleviate the suffering of all beings.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, influenced by Buddhism, compassion is highly valued as a moral virtue. Acts of '慈悲' are often seen as embodying the highest form of human kindness and ethical behavior, reflecting a deep sense of interconnectedness and responsibility towards others.
Memory Tip
Think of '慈悲' as 'Caring Benevolence'. The '慈' (cí) sound is similar to 'care', and '悲' (bēi) relates to empathy for suffering ('Bēi' sounds a bit like 'pain'). Together, it's caring empathy for pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions慈悲比同情更进一步。同情只是理解或感受他人的痛苦，而慈悲则包含了一种想要积极帮助、减轻他人痛苦的意愿和行动。
慈悲一词常用于宗教（特别是佛教）、哲学和伦理道德的讨论。在日常生活中，也用来形容一个人善良、仁厚、乐于助人的品格。
“慈悲为怀”意思是把慈悲之心放在首位，时常怀有怜悯和帮助他人的意愿。指在待人接物时，能够以同情和仁爱之心为出发点。
虽然慈悲起源于佛教，但它已经超越了宗教范畴，成为一种普世的道德价值和人类情感。在非宗教语境下，它同样被用来形容善良和仁爱。
Test Yourself
他对那些遭受苦难的人们怀有深切的______。
句意是表达对苦难者的关怀和同情，‘慈悲’最符合语境。
下列哪个行为最能体现慈悲？
选项b包含了同情和积极的帮助行动，最符合慈悲的定义。
请用“慈悲”、“我们”、“应该”、“对”、“一切”、“生命”这些词语组成一个合乎语法的句子。
选项c结构完整，语义清晰，表达了对所有生命都应怀有慈悲的态度。
Score: /3
Summary
Compassion involves deep empathy and an active desire to alleviate suffering in others.
- Deep empathy and desire to help others.
- More than sympathy; includes active help.
- Universal care, especially for suffering.
Emphasize action with compassion.
Don't just feel for others; consider how you can actively help alleviate their suffering. True compassion often leads to action.
Avoid pity without action.
Simply feeling sorry for someone isn't true compassion. It's important to move beyond passive pity towards active support if possible.
Buddhist roots influence meaning.
The concept is deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy, emphasizing universal love and the alleviation of suffering for all beings.
Examples
4 of 4这位医生不仅医术高明，更以其慈悲之心赢得了病人的信赖。
This doctor is not only skilled but also earned patients' trust with his compassionate heart.
佛教教义强调慈悲为怀，普度众生。
Buddhist teachings emphasize holding compassion in one's heart and delivering all sentient beings.
看到那些流浪动物，我心里充满了慈悲。
Seeing those stray animals fills my heart with compassion.
在灾难面前，人与人之间的慈悲和互助显得尤为重要。
In the face of disaster, compassion and mutual aid among people become particularly important.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
佩服
B1To admire; to respect.
