放生

fàngshēng

verb #23,260

Meanings

1 to release a captive animal
2 to set free (an animal)
3 to practice mercy release (Buddhist)

Characters

to release / to let go

Examples

她买了几条鱼放生到河里。

Tā mǎi le jǐ tiáo yú fàngshēng dào hélǐ.

She bought some fish and released them into the river.

放生是佛教中积累功德的方式之一。

Fàngshēng shì Fójiào zhōng jīlěi gōng dé de fāngshì zhīyī.

Releasing animals is one of the ways to accumulate merit in Buddhism.

他们在寺庙前放生了一笼鸟。

Tāmen zài sìmiào qián fàngshēng le yī lóng niǎo.

They released a cage of birds in front of the temple.

Tips

culture

放生 is a widespread Buddhist practice in China where believers purchase captive animals (fish, birds, turtles) and release them to accumulate merit (功德). It takes place especially on auspicious occasions or at temples.

Stroke Order

放 fàng

生 shēng