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. ====== Yēsū: 耶稣 - Jesus ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** Jesus in Chinese, Yēsū, 耶稣, Christianity in China, Christian Chinese vocabulary, how to say Jesus in Mandarin, what does Yēsū mean, Chinese for Jesus Christ. * **Summary:** 耶稣 (Yēsū) is the standard Chinese word for Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. As a phonetic transliteration of the name "Jesus," its characters were chosen to approximate the sound of the original name. This term is fundamental for discussing Christianity, Western holidays like Christmas, or related history and culture in Mandarin Chinese. Understanding 耶稣 is key to engaging with one of the most significant global belief systems within a Chinese context. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** Yēsū * **Part of Speech:** Proper Noun * **HSK Level:** N/A (Considered a fundamental proper noun for cultural literacy) * **Concise Definition:** The Chinese name for Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. * **In a Nutshell:** 耶稣 (Yēsū) is how you say "Jesus" in Chinese. It's not a translation of a meaning, but a translation of sound. The characters 耶 (yē) and 稣 (sū) were chosen because together they sound like "Jesus." It is used by millions of Chinese Christians in prayer and scripture and is widely recognized by the general population when discussing Western culture, history, and religion. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **耶 (yē):** This character by itself has little independent meaning in modern Chinese and is almost exclusively used for its sound in transliterating foreign words. You will see it in other religious terms like 耶和华 (Yēhéhuá), "Jehovah." * **稣 (sū):** This character is also primarily used for its sound. However, it carries a classical meaning of "to revive" or "to come back to life." This creates a remarkable and beautiful coincidence, as it perfectly aligns with the Christian belief in Jesus's resurrection. * The characters combine phonetically to represent the name "Jesus." While the primary purpose is sound, the serendipitous meaning of 稣 (sū) adds a layer of depth that is not lost on Chinese-speaking Christians. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * **A Foreign Concept in a Chinese Framework:** 耶稣 represents a figure and a belief system (Christianity) that are historically foreign to China. While awareness of Jesus is widespread due to globalization, his cultural resonance is very different from that of native figures like Confucius (孔子), Laozi (老子), or the Buddha (佛陀), whose philosophies have shaped Chinese society for millennia. * **Comparison to "Jesus" in the West:** In many Western cultures, the name "Jesus" has permeated secular life, often used as a common exclamation of surprise or frustration (e.g., "Jesus Christ!"). In China, 耶稣 is almost exclusively tied to its religious and historical context. Using it as a casual exclamation would be seen as very unnatural and strange. The Chinese equivalent for "Oh my God!" would be "我的天啊 (wǒ de tiān a)." * **A Growing Presence:** Christianity is one of the fastest-growing religions in China. As such, the term 耶稣 is increasingly part of the national conversation, moving from a purely "foreign" word to a term relevant to the lives of tens of millions of Chinese citizens. Understanding this term is essential for understanding a significant and growing subculture within modern China. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **Religious Context:** This is the most common usage. It's used in church services, sermons, prayers, and in the Chinese Union Version of the Bible (和合本圣经). * **Cultural and Academic Discussion:** When discussing Western art (e.g., Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper"), history (e.g., the Roman Empire), literature, or philosophy, 耶稣 is the standard term. * **Holidays:** The term is central to understanding Christmas, which is called 圣诞节 (Shèngdànjié), literally "the festival of the holy birth." The "holy birth" refers to that of 耶稣. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 基督徒相信**耶稣**是上帝的儿子。 * Pinyin: Jīdūtú xiāngxìn **Yēsū** shì Shàngdì de érzi. * English: Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God. * Analysis: A straightforward statement of a core Christian belief. This is a very common and neutral way to state this fact. * **Example 2:** * 你读过关于**耶稣**的故事吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ dúguò guānyú **Yēsū** de gùshì ma? * English: Have you read the stories about Jesus? * Analysis: A simple question used to inquire about someone's familiarity with the biblical narratives. * **Example 3:** * 圣诞节是为了庆祝**耶稣**的诞生。 * Pinyin: Shèngdànjié shì wèile qìngzhù **Yēsū** de dànshēng. * English: Christmas is for celebrating the birth of Jesus. * Analysis: This sentence directly links the holiday of Christmas (圣诞节) to its religious origin. * **Example 4:** * 根据圣经，**耶稣**能行神迹。 * Pinyin: Gēnjù Shèngjīng, **Yēsū** néng xíng shénjì. * English: According to the Bible, Jesus could perform miracles. * Analysis: Used in a context of discussing the contents of the Bible (圣经). `行神迹 (xíng shénjì)` is a set phrase for "perform miracles." * **Example 5:** * 很多人被**耶稣**的教导所吸引。 * Pinyin: Hěn duō rén bèi **Yēsū** de jiàodǎo suǒ xīyǐn. * English: Many people are attracted by the teachings of Jesus. * Analysis: This focuses on the philosophical or moral aspects of Jesus's teachings (`教导 jiàodǎo`). The `被...所...` structure is a common way to express the passive voice. * **Example 6:** * 这幅画描绘了**耶稣**最后的晚餐。 * Pinyin: Zhè fú huà miáohuìle **Yēsū** zuìhòu de wǎncān. * English: This painting depicts Jesus's Last Supper. * Analysis: An example of using the term in an art history context. `最后的晚餐 (zuìhòu de wǎncān)` is the standard name for The Last Supper. * **Example 7:** * 他们每个星期天都去教堂敬拜**耶稣**。 * Pinyin: Tāmen měi ge xīngqītiān dōu qù jiàotáng jìngbài **Yēsū**. * English: They go to church every Sunday to worship Jesus. * Analysis: Describes the practical actions of religious followers. `敬拜 (jìngbài)` means "to worship." * **Example 8:** * **耶稣**的牺牲对基督徒来说意义重大。 * Pinyin: **Yēsū** de xīshēng duì Jīdūtú lái shuō yìyì zhòngdà. * English: The sacrifice of Jesus is of great significance to Christians. * Analysis: Introduces more abstract theological concepts like "sacrifice" (`牺牲 xīshēng`) and "significance" (`意义重大 yìyì zhòngdà`). * **Example 9:** * 在中国，很多人是通过圣诞节了解到**耶稣**的。 * Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó, hěn duō rén shì tōngguò Shèngdànjié liǎojiě dào **Yēsū** de. * English: In China, many people get to know about Jesus through Christmas. * Analysis: This sentence provides cultural context on how awareness of Jesus often spreads in China—through the cultural celebration of a holiday rather than religious teaching. * **Example 10:** * “爱你的邻人”是**耶稣**的一句名言。 * Pinyin: "Ài nǐ de línrén" shì **Yēsū** de yí jù míngyán. * English: "Love your neighbor" is a famous saying of Jesus. * Analysis: An example of quoting Jesus. `名言 (míngyán)` means "famous saying" or "quote." ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Don't Use as an Exclamation:** This is the most common mistake for English speakers. In English, "Jesus!" or "Jesus Christ!" is a frequent interjection for surprise, shock, or anger. **Never** translate this directly as "耶稣!". It is not used this way in Chinese and will sound extremely strange. Use common Chinese interjections instead: * **Correct:** 我的天啊! (Wǒ de tiān a!) - Oh my God! * **Correct:** 哎呀! (Āiyā!) - Oh no! / Oops! * **Incorrect:** 耶稣! (Yēsū!) * **耶稣 vs. 基督:** 耶稣 (Yēsū) refers to the man, Jesus. 基督 (Jīdū) is the transliteration for "Christ," which is a title meaning "Anointed One" or "Messiah." They are often combined to form 耶稣基督 (Yēsū Jīdū) for "Jesus Christ." In many cases, they can be used interchangeably when referring to the person, but 基督 carries a stronger theological weight as a title. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[基督]] (Jīdū) - Christ. A title often used with or in place of 耶稣. The combination `耶稣基督` (Yēsū Jīdū) means "Jesus Christ." * [[基督教]] (Jīdūjiào) - Christianity. Literally "Christ-religion." * [[上帝]] (Shàngdì) - God. A common term for God, especially in Protestantism, meaning "Supreme Emperor." * [[天主]] (Tiānzhǔ) - God. Literally "Lord of Heaven." This is the term for God predominantly used in Chinese Catholicism. * [[圣经]] (Shèngjīng) - The Holy Bible. Literally "Holy Classic/Scripture." * [[教堂]] (jiàotáng) - Church. The physical building where congregations meet. * [[圣诞节]] (Shèngdànjié) - Christmas. Literally "Holy Birth Festival." * [[十字架]] (shízìjià) - Cross / Crucifix. Literally "ten-character frame," because the character for ten is 十. * [[祷告]] (dǎogào) - To pray; prayer. * [[信徒]] (xìntú) - Believer; follower (of a religion).