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March 24, 2026
圣(聖)shèng(sheng4)
The character 圣 (shèng) conveys the meaning of 'holy' or 'sacred.' It is commonly used in religious and philosophical contexts, referring to saints, sages, or anything deemed sacred. In everyday conversation, it can also imply something that is esteemed or revered.
Strokes5Radical土Frequency#1286DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the character 圣 is often associated with Confucius, who is regarded as a sage. This connection underscores the importance of wisdom and moral integrity in Chinese philosophy.
Memory Tip
Imagine a saint holding a sacred book, which is glowing with a bright light. The character 圣 has a similar form to the image of a person standing in reverence, representing holiness. Picture the glow as a reminder that 'shèng' sounds like 'shine,' connecting it to the idea of something holy that shines brightly.
Meanings of 圣
shèng(sheng4)
1holy
2sacred
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 圣
圣Simplified
聖Traditional
5Strokes
土Radical
简称abbreviation (abbr.)Part of Speech
#1286Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6
Podcast: 圣
Podcast: 圣
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AI Study Notes for 圣
Quick Contrast
神 (shén) — use 圣 (shèng) for 'holy' or 'sacred,' while 神 (shén) refers to 'god' or 'spirit.'
Usage Notes
When using 圣, be mindful of its formal tone, as it is often used in religious or philosophical discussions. Common collocations include 圣人 (shèngrén - sage or saint) and 圣经 (shèngjīng - Bible). Avoid using it in casual contexts, as it may come across as overly serious.
HSK Study Tips
While 圣 is not explicitly listed in the HSK levels, it is relevant for learners at HSK 4 and above, especially when discussing topics related to ethics, philosophy, or religion. Students should focus on its usage in conjunction with related terms like 人 (rén - person) and 书 (shū - book).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 圣 with 诚 (chéng - sincerity), as both can relate to values. For example, saying '他是一个圣的人' (tā shì yīgè shèng de rén - he is a holy person) might be misinterpreted; it's better to say '他是一个圣人' (tā shì yīgè shèngrén - he is a sage).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 圣
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How Well Do You Know 圣?
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 圣 (shèng) conveys the meaning of 'holy' or 'sacred.' It is commonly used in religious and philosophical contexts, referring to saints, sages, or anything deemed sacred. In everyday conversation, it can also imply something that is esteemed or revered.
When to use 圣
When using 圣, be mindful of its formal tone, as it is often used in religious or philosophical discussions. Common collocations include 圣人 (shèngrén - sage or saint) and 圣经 (shèngjīng - Bible). Avoid using it in casual contexts, as it may come across as overly serious.
圣 or something close to it
神 (shén) — use 圣 (shèng) for 'holy' or 'sacred,' while 神 (shén) refers to 'god' or 'spirit.'
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 圣 with 诚 (chéng - sincerity), as both can relate to values. For example, saying '他是一个圣的人' (tā shì yīgè shèng de rén - he is a holy person) might be misinterpreted; it's better to say '他是一个圣人' (tā shì yīgè shèngrén - he is a sage).
Write 圣
圣
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Grammar Patterns of 圣
圣 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
St Andrews was ten miles in the opposite direction.
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Cultural Notes for 圣
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
The concept of a 'saint' in Western culture typically refers to a person recognized for their holiness in Christianity, while in Chinese culture, 圣 encompasses a broader range of wise and revered figures, not limited to religious context.
Word Family of 圣
Compounds8
怪guai4bewildering
径jing4footpath
壡
柽cheng1willow, tamarisk
経
蛏cheng1razor clam
軽
頚
Words Containing This Character20
圣诞Christmas聖誕
圣shèngholy聖
圣诞节shèngdànjiéChristmas time聖誕節
圣诞老人Father Christmas聖誕老人
神圣shénshèngdivine神聖
圣经Holy Bible聖經
圣人saint聖人
圣诞树Christmas tree聖誕樹
圣母the Virgin Mary聖母
圣地shrine聖地
圣地亚哥Santiago, capital of Chile聖地亞哥
圣洁pure and holy聖潔
圣火sacred fire聖火
圣殿temple聖殿
圣灵Holy Ghost聖靈
圣彼得堡Saint Petersburg (city in Russia)聖彼得堡
圣保罗St Paul聖保羅
朝圣to make a pilgrimage朝聖
圣徒saint聖徒
圣旨imperial edict聖旨
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 圣
What does 怪 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 圣
The pronunciation is 'shèng,' with a falling tone on the 'è'.
Yes, while it primarily refers to sacredness, it can also describe esteemed figures or concepts in a philosophical context.
Common phrases include 圣人 (shèngrén - sage) and 圣徒 (shèngtú - saint).
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