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菩萨 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
菩萨púsàBodhisattva (Buddhism)HSK 7, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #22453, Very Hard
púsà(Pu2sa4)pu sa T2
  1. 1Bodhisattva (Buddhism)
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March 24, 2026

菩萨(菩薩)púsà(Pu2sa4)

菩萨 (púsà) refers to a Bodhisattva, a being in Buddhism who has attained enlightenment but chooses to remain in the cycle of rebirth to help others achieve enlightenment. This term is commonly used in religious contexts, particularly in Mahayana Buddhism, and symbolizes compassion and altruism.

Strokes22Frequency#22453DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, 菩萨 is often depicted in art and temples, symbolizing mercy and compassion. Many people pray to specific 菩萨 figures for guidance and support in their daily lives.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'pu'ppy that is 'sa'ving others by guiding them towards enlightenment. The character 菩 (pú) can be visualized as a tree (木), representing growth and wisdom, while 萨 (sà) sounds like 'saw,' suggesting the cutting away of ignorance.

Meanings of 菩萨

púsà(Pu2sa4)
1Bodhisattva (Buddhism)
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About 菩萨

菩萨Simplified
菩薩Traditional
22Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 菩萨

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AI study notes for 菩萨

Quick Contrast

观音 (Guān yīn) — use 菩萨 when referring to the general concept of a Bodhisattva, while 观音 specifically denotes the Bodhisattva of compassion.

Usage Notes

When using 菩萨, it is often paired with other terms like '观音菩萨' (Guānyīn Púsà), referring to the Goddess of Mercy. Be mindful of pronunciation; mispronouncing the tones can lead to confusion with other words.

HSK Study Tips

While 菩萨 is not an HSK vocabulary word, understanding it can deepen your comprehension of Buddhist texts and teachings often encountered in HSK levels. Focus on recognizing the characters and their components to connect them with cultural contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 菩萨 with 佛, mistakenly using them interchangeably. Remember that while both are related to Buddhism, 菩萨 specifically refers to those who assist others on the path to enlightenment, while 佛 refers to those who have achieved it.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 菩萨

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Component characters

菩púherb, aromatic plant
11 strokes艹
View full entry
萨sàBuddhist diety; used in transliterations
11 strokes艹
View full entry

How to say Bodhisattva (Buddhism) in Chinese

“Bodhisattva (Buddhism)” in Chinese is菩萨púsà

菩萨 (púsà) refers to a Bodhisattva, a being in Buddhism who has attained enlightenment but chooses to remain in the cycle of rebirth to help others achieve enlightenment. This term is commonly used in religious contexts, particularly in Mahayana Buddhism, and symbolizes compassion and altruism.

When to use 菩萨

When using 菩萨, it is often paired with other terms like '观音菩萨' (Guānyīn Púsà), referring to the Goddess of Mercy. Be mindful of pronunciation; mispronouncing the tones can lead to confusion with other words.

菩萨 or something close to it

观音 (Guān yīn) — use 菩萨 when referring to the general concept of a Bodhisattva, while 观音 specifically denotes the Bodhisattva of compassion.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 菩萨 with 佛, mistakenly using them interchangeably. Remember that while both are related to Buddhism, 菩萨 specifically refers to those who assist others on the path to enlightenment, while 佛 refers to those who have achieved it.

Write 菩萨

菩
萨

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Cultural Notes for 菩萨

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

The concept of a Bodhisattva emphasizes altruism and compassion in Buddhism, contrasting with the Western notion of individual salvation, which often focuses on personal enlightenment without the same emphasis on helping others.

Frequently asked questions about 菩萨

菩萨 refers to a being who is on the path to Buddhahood, helping others, while 佛 (Buddha) refers to someone who has attained complete enlightenment.

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