English Reference

Word

shen

Phoneticsshen

/ˈʃɛn/

Definition

n. a spirit or god in Chinese culture. It can refer to a person's soul or a divine being in the universe.

n. a spirit, god, or divine power in Chinese philosophy and religion. Refers to both the internal human spirit and external celestial beings.

Examples

“The temple was built to honor the local shen.”

“In traditional Chinese medicine, maintaining the balance of shen is considered essential for mental clarity and emotional health.”

“The philosopher argued that the shen represents the most refined aspect of human existence, connecting the individual to the vast, numinous forces of the cosmos.”

Examples

simple

“The temple was built to honor the local shen.”

contextual

“In traditional Chinese medicine, maintaining the balance of shen is considered essential for mental clarity and emotional health.”

complex

“The philosopher argued that the shen represents the most refined aspect of human existence, connecting the individual to the vast, numinous forces of the cosmos.”

Usage

Often used as an uncountable concept in philosophy; functions as a countable noun when referring to specific deities.

Domain

Mythology

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

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English Reference