神 (shén) - god, deity, spirit, divine, supernatural & also refers to mind, spirit, expression, or extraordinary

神Tone 2

shén ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical: 示

上姝

神 · shén

god, deity, spirit, divine, supernatural;

also refers to mind, spirit, expression, or extraordinary ability

god, deity, spirit, divine, supernaturalalso refers to mind, spirit, expression, or extraordinary

Usage highlights

god/deityspirit/mindmysteriousdivine powerfacial expressionsupernatural

Synonyms

  • 仙— immortal, celestial being
  • 灵— spirit, soul, efficacious
  • 圣— sage, holy, sacred

Antonyms

  • 鬼— ghost, demon (negative supernatural being)
  • 魔— devil, demon, evil spirit
  • 凡— mortal, ordinary, common

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ancient Greeks worshipped many gods (神).
  • She has a divine talent for music (音乐神童).
  • He concentrated with great mental focus (精神专注).
  • The scenery has a mystical quality (神秘景色).

Collocations

  • god/deity(神)
  • spirit/mind(精神)
  • mysterious(神秘)
  • divine power(神力)
  • facial expression(神色)
  • supernatural(神异)

Idioms

  • Work in a god-like way(鬼斧神工)
  • Divine troops descending from heaven(神兵天降)
  • Lose one's presence of mind(神不守舍)
  • As if helped by divine power(神助一般)
  • In high spirits(神采奕奕)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese folk religion and Taoism, 神 refers to various deities and spirits that inhabit the world.
  • The character combines the '示' (altar/divine) radical with '申' (to extend), suggesting divine manifestation.
  • In Confucian thought, 神 can refer to the spiritual aspect of human nature and ancestral spirits.
  • In Buddhism, 神 is used for divine beings but distinguished from Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

FAQ