Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== Shèngjīng: 圣经 - The Bible, Holy Scripture ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** Shengjing, 圣经, Bible in Chinese, Chinese Bible, Holy Scripture in Chinese, Christianity in China, Union Version Bible, 和合本, learning Chinese religion terms * **Summary:** 圣经 (Shèngjīng) is the standard Chinese word for the Holy Bible, the sacred scripture of Christianity. Literally translating to "Holy Classic" or "Sacred Scripture," this term is universally understood throughout the Chinese-speaking world. This page explores the meaning of 圣经, its cultural significance for Christians in China, its practical use in conversation, and how it compares to other religious texts. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** Shèngjīng (shèng jīng) * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** N/A (Proper Noun) * **Concise Definition:** The Holy Bible, the sacred scriptures of Judaism and Christianity. * **In a Nutshell:** 圣经 is the direct and unambiguous term for the Bible. It's a compound word that combines "holy/sacred" (圣) and "classic text/scripture" (经). While primarily used by and in reference to Christians, the term is widely known by the general population in China as the name of a major work of world literature and religion. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **圣 (shèng):** This character means "holy," "sacred," or "saint." It denotes something revered, pure, and of the highest order. It is also used in words like `圣人 (shèngrén)` for a sage (like Confucius) and `圣诞节 (Shèngdànjié)` for Christmas. * **经 (jīng):** This character means "classic text," "scripture," or "sutra." Its original meaning related to the vertical threads (warp) in weaving, which formed the foundation of the cloth. By extension, it came to mean a foundational or classic text. It is used in the names of many important texts, such as the Buddhist sutras `佛经 (Fójīng)` and the Daoist classic `道德经 (Dàodéjīng)`. * **Combined Meaning:** The combination is very logical: "Holy" (圣) + "Classic Scripture" (经) = Holy Scripture. In modern Chinese, without any other qualifier, 圣经 specifically refers to the Christian Bible. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== The 圣经 holds a unique position in China. For the rapidly growing Christian population, it is the foundational text of their faith, spiritual guidance, and moral life, just as it is for Christians globally. The most widely used Chinese translation is the Chinese Union Version (CUV), or **和合本 (Héhéběn)**, completed in 1919. The language of the 和合本 was so influential that it helped shape Modern Standard Chinese, much like the King James Version influenced English. However, its cultural position differs greatly from its role in the West. In many Western countries, the Bible's stories, idioms, and moral frameworks are deeply embedded in the culture, familiar even to non-religious people. In China, the 圣经 is an "imported" text. The average non-Christian Chinese person might know of it as the holy book of Christianity, but they are far more likely to be culturally influenced by native texts like the Analects of Confucius (`论语`), the works of Laozi and Zhuangzi, or classic novels like *Journey to the West* (`西游记`). Therefore, while referencing the 圣经 is central within Christian communities, it does not serve as a common cultural touchstone in broader Chinese society. It is respected as a significant religious text but lacks the deep, native roots of China's own philosophical and literary classics. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **Religious Contexts:** This is the most common use. It's used in church sermons, Bible study groups (`查经班 - chájīngbān`), and personal devotion. Christians will talk about reading, studying, or quoting the 圣经. * **Academic and Literary Contexts:** Scholars of religion, history, and literature use the term when studying the text's influence and history. * **General Conversation:** When discussing world religions or Western culture, people will use 圣经 to refer to the Bible. The term is formal but not overly academic; it is the standard, neutral word. * **Idiomatic Usage:** Some idioms derived from Bible translations have entered the language, such as `替罪羊 (tìzuìyáng)` for "scapegoat" or `披着羊皮的狼 (pīzhe yángpí de láng)` for "a wolf in sheep's clothing." ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 你读过**圣经**吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ dúguò **Shèngjīng** ma? * English: Have you ever read the Bible? * Analysis: A simple, common question to ask someone about their familiarity with the text. `过 (guò)` indicates past experience. * **Example 2:** * 我妈妈每天晚上都会读一段**圣经**。 * Pinyin: Wǒ māma měitiān wǎnshang dōu huì dú yí duàn **Shèngjīng**. * English: My mother reads a passage from the Bible every night. * Analysis: This sentence describes a routine religious practice. `一段 (yí duàn)` means "a passage" or "a section." * **Example 3:** * 这本是中文和合本**圣经**。 * Pinyin: Zhè běn shì Zhōngwén Héhéběn **Shèngjīng**. * English: This is a Chinese Union Version Bible. * Analysis: This specifies the exact, most common translation of the Bible in China. `本 (běn)` is the measure word for books. * **Example 4:** * **圣经**对西方文化有深远的影响。 * Pinyin: **Shèngjīng** duì Xīfāng wénhuà yǒu shēnyuǎn de yǐngxiǎng. * English: The Bible has a profound influence on Western culture. * Analysis: A typical sentence you might encounter in a cultural or historical discussion. `对...有影响 (duì...yǒu yǐngxiǎng)` is a common structure for "has an influence on..." * **Example 5:** * 牧师正在引用**圣经**里的一个故事。 * Pinyin: Mùshi zhèngzài yǐnyòng **Shèngjīng** lǐ de yí ge gùshi. * English: The pastor is quoting a story from the Bible. * Analysis: `牧师 (mùshi)` is the word for a Protestant pastor. `引用 (yǐnyòng)` means "to quote" or "to cite." * **Example 6:** * 很多人认为**圣经**不仅是宗教经典，也是一部伟大的文学作品。 * Pinyin: Hěn duō rén rènwéi **Shèngjīng** bùjǐn shì zōngjiào jīngdiǎn, yě shì yí bù wěidà de wénxué zuòpǐn. * English: Many people believe the Bible is not only a religious classic but also a great work of literature. * Analysis: Demonstrates a nuanced view of the Bible. The structure `不仅...也... (bùjǐn...yě...)` means "not only...but also..." * **Example 7:** * **圣经**被翻译成了数百种语言。 * Pinyin: **Shèngjīng** bèi fānyì chéngle shù bǎi zhǒng yǔyán. * English: The Bible has been translated into hundreds of languages. * Analysis: This uses the passive voice with `被 (bèi)` to describe what has been done to the Bible. * **Example 8:** * 这句话的出处是**圣经**的《创世记》。 * Pinyin: Zhè jù huà de chūchù shì **Shèngjīng** de "Chuàngshìjì". * English: The source of this sentence is the Bible's Book of Genesis. * Analysis: Shows how to refer to a specific book within the Bible. `出处 (chūchù)` means "source" or "origin." * **Example 9:** * 他把老板的话当成**圣经**一样遵守。 * Pinyin: Tā bǎ lǎobǎn de huà dàngchéng **Shèngjīng** yíyàng zūnshǒu. * English: He follows his boss's words as if they were the Bible. * Analysis: A metaphorical use of the term, implying absolute, unquestioning authority. This is less common but perfectly understandable. * **Example 10:** * 我们教会每周有一次**圣经**学习小组。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen jiàohuì měi zhōu yǒu yí cì **Shèngjīng** xuéxí xiǎozǔ. * English: Our church has a Bible study group once a week. * Analysis: `学习小组 (xuéxí xiǎozǔ)` is a common term for a "study group," often used in this context. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Mistake: Using "经 (jīng)" alone.** A common error for learners is to see `经` and assume it means "Bible." `经` is a general term for any classic or scripture. Using it alone is ambiguous. * **Incorrect:** `我想买一本经。(Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī běn jīng.)` - "I want to buy a scripture." (Which one? Buddhist? Daoist? Christian?) * **Correct:** `我想买一本圣经。(Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī běn Shèngjīng.)` - "I want to buy a Bible." * **Distinguishing from other scriptures:** Always use a prefix to clarify which religious text you mean. The pattern is usually "[Religion/Figure] + 经". * **圣经 (Shèngjīng):** The Holy Bible (Christian) * **佛经 (Fójīng):** Buddhist Sutras (lit. "Buddha Scripture") * **古兰经 (Gǔlánjīng):** The Quran (also `可兰经 Kělánjīng`) * **道德经 (Dàodéjīng):** The Tao Te Ching (a foundational text of Daoism) ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[上帝]] (Shàngdì) - God, the term primarily used by Chinese Protestants. * [[天主]] (Tiānzhǔ) - God (lit. "Lord of Heaven"), the term used by Chinese Catholics. * [[耶稣]] (Yēsū) - Jesus. * [[基督]] (Jīdū) - Christ. From this, you get `基督教 (Jīdūjiào)` for Christianity. * [[旧约]] (Jiùyuē) - The Old Testament (lit. "Old Covenant/Testament"). * [[新约]] (Xīnyuē) - The New Testament (lit. "New Covenant/Testament"). * [[教会]] (jiàohuì) - The Church as an institution or a congregation of people. * [[教堂]] (jiàotáng) - A church building (lit. "teaching hall"). * [[福音]] (fúyīn) - Gospel (lit. "blessed sound" or "good news"). * [[和合本]] (Héhéběn) - The Chinese Union Version, the most common and influential translation of the Bible in China.