慈 (cí) - Compassion, kindness, mercy, maternal love & often used to describe a gentle, caring, and

慈Tone 2

cí ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

慈 · cí

Compassion, kindness, mercy, maternal love;

often used to describe a gentle, caring, and benevolent nature.

Compassion, kindness, mercy, maternal loveoften used to describe a gentle, caring, and

Usage highlights

CompassionKind and lovingCharity, philanthropyMotherly loveBenevolent heartCompassionate gaze

Synonyms

  • 仁— benevolence, humaneness
  • 爱— love, affection
  • 善— goodness, kindness

Antonyms

  • 恶— evil, wickedness
  • 凶— fierce, cruel
  • 残— brutal, cruel

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She is known for her compassion (慈爱).
  • The mother looked at her child with loving-kindness (慈祥).
  • He practices charity and philanthropy (慈善).
  • The Buddha is often called the Compassionate One (慈尊).

Collocations

  • Compassion(慈悲)
  • Kind and loving(慈祥)
  • Charity, philanthropy(慈善)
  • Motherly love(慈母)
  • Benevolent heart(慈心)
  • Compassionate gaze(慈目)

Idioms

  • A kind mother and a filial son(慈母孝子)
  • Compassionate heart, benevolent intentions(慈心善念)
  • Great compassion and great mercy(大慈大悲)
  • A face full of kindness(慈眉善目)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Deeply rooted in Confucian and Buddhist ethics, emphasizing benevolence and care for others.
  • Traditionally associated with maternal love and the ideal of a nurturing, gentle figure.
  • In Buddhism, '慈' (maitrī) is one of the Four Immeasurables, representing loving-kindness.

FAQ