皈 (guī): to convert (to a religion)

Meanings

1 to convert (to a religion)
2 to take refuge in (Buddhism)

Characters

皈

guī

to take refuge in; convert

Examples

他晚年皈依了佛教。

Tā wǎnnián guīyī le Fójiào.

He converted to Buddhism in his later years.

皈依三宝是入佛门的第一步。

Guīyī sānbǎo shì rù fómén de dì-yī bù.

Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is the first step into Buddhism.

Tips

culture

A Buddhist term, met almost only in 皈依 ('to take refuge / convert'). It means formally returning to and relying on the Buddha, the teaching, and the community.

Components

semantic

白 bái

white; clear

White, clear, the left part. The bright, pure sense fits the idea of turning toward a clean spiritual refuge.

phonetic

反 fǎn

to turn back; phonetic

To turn back, giving the sound and a strong meaning hint: this is a 'turning back / returning' to faith, paralleling its near-twin 归 (to return).

Stroke Order

皈 guī

Related Words

皈依 guīyī #20,197

to convert to (a religion) / to take refuge in (Buddhism) / to be initiated into a faith

藏身 cángshēn HSK 7-9 #6,823

to hide / to take shelter / to take refuge

保重 bǎozhòng HSK 7-9 #2,912

to take care of oneself / take care (farewell expression)

乘 chéng HSK 5 #2,691

to ride; to take (transport) / to take advantage of; to seize (an opportunity) / to multiply (mathematics)

顾 gù HSK 6 #5,745

to look after; to care for / to attend to; to take into account / to look around; to turn around

乘人之危 chéngrénzhīwēi HSK 7-9 #71,536

to take advantage of someone's precarious situation / to kick someone when they're down

服药 fúyào #8,424

to take medicine; to take medication

关照 guānzhào HSK 7-9 #6,132

to look after; to take care of / to give special consideration to

干掉 gàndiào #1,803

to kill / to get rid of / to take out / to finish off

担 dān HSK 7-9 #9,676

to shoulder; to carry on a pole / to take on; to undertake / to take responsibility for