念珠 (niànzhū) · prayer beads, rosary

Measure Word

一串念珠 chuàn

Meanings

1 prayer beads
2 rosary

Characters

念

niàn

to recite; to chant; to think of

珠

zhū

bead; pearl; small round object

Examples

HSK 6

她把念珠挂在脖子上。

Tā bǎ niànzhū guà zài bózi shang.

She hung the rosary around her neck.

HSK 7-9

老和尚手里拿着一串念珠。

Lǎo héshang shǒulǐ ná zhe yī chuàn niànzhū.

The old monk held a string of prayer beads in his hand.

Tips

memory

念 means 'to recite/chant' and 珠 means 'bead/pearl.' Prayer beads are literally 'chanting beads' - used to count chants or prayers.

culture

念珠 is used across Buddhist, Catholic, and Islamic traditions in Chinese-speaking communities. Buddhist prayer beads (佛珠) typically have 108 beads.

Stroke Order

念 niàn

珠 zhū

Related Words

念头 niàntou HSK 7-9 #5,016

thought / idea / intention

念 niàn HSK 5 #2,008

to read aloud; to recite / to miss; to think of / to study (at a school)

概念 gàiniàn HSK 5 #5,101

concept; idea; notion

信念 xìnniàn HSK 6 #4,521

faith / belief / conviction

珠宝 zhūbǎo HSK 6 #3,572

jewelry; gems; precious stones / jewels and valuables

怀念 huáiniàn HSK 6 #3,548

to miss; to cherish the memory of / to think fondly of

纪念 jìniàn HSK 5 #2,882

to commemorate; to remember / memorial; souvenir

纪念日 jìniànrì HSK 5 #5,697

anniversary / commemoration day / memorial day

想念 xiǎngniàn HSK 5 #1,786

to miss (someone) / to long for

念书 niànshū HSK 6 #11,104

to study / to attend school / to read aloud