施舍

施捨

shīshě

verb #9,730

Meanings

他经常向穷人施舍食物。

Tā jīngcháng xiàng qióngrén shīshě shíwù.

He often gives food to the poor.

她不需要别人的施舍。

Tā bù xūyào biérén de shīshě.

She doesn't need charity from others.

不要用施舍的态度帮助别人。

Bùyào yòng shīshě de tàidu bāngzhù biérén.

Don't help others with a condescending charity attitude.

usage

施舍 often carries a slightly negative connotation of giving from a position of superiority. For neutral 'donate', use 捐赠 instead.

history

Originally a Buddhist term for the practice of giving (布施), later adopted into everyday Chinese with a broader meaning.

施 shī

舍 shě