寺 (sì) - temple & monastery

寺Tone 4

sì ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 寸

树檀

寺 · sì

temple;

monastery;

government office (archaic);

Buddhist temple;

also appears in some surnames.

templemonasterygovernment office (archaic)

Usage highlights

Buddhist templeShaolin Templetemple fairgovernment officetemple gateancient temple

Synonyms

  • 庙— temple (general term)
  • 寺院— temple, monastery
  • 寺庙— Buddhist temple

Antonyms

  • 俗— secular, vulgar (opposite of sacred)
  • 尘— dust, worldly (opposite of spiritual)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • We visited a Buddhist temple (寺庙).
  • The ancient government office was called 寺 (寺 in ancient China).
  • He lives near the temple (寺庙附近).
  • The Shaolin Temple is famous (少林寺).

Collocations

  • Buddhist temple(寺庙)
  • Shaolin Temple(少林寺)
  • temple fair(庙会)
  • government office (archaic)(寺)
  • temple gate(寺门)
  • ancient temple(古寺)

Idioms

  • A famous temple in a remote mountain(深山古寺)
  • Temple bells and morning chimes(晨钟暮鼓)
  • To burn incense and worship Buddha(烧香拜佛)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to government offices in ancient China (e.g., 大理寺, the Supreme Court).
  • Later adopted by Buddhism to denote temples, becoming the standard term for Buddhist monasteries.
  • Represents a place of religious practice, cultural heritage, and architectural significance.

FAQ