burn incense; light incense
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to burn incense (for worship or prayer)
Commonly used in religious contexts, especially Buddhism or ancestor worship.
Rén人
men们
zài在
zhè这
jiān间
sì寺
miào庙
lǐ里
fén焚
xiāng香
bài拜
fó佛
，
qí祈
qiú求
píng平
ān安
。
People burn incense and pray to Buddha in this temple, seeking peace and safety.
Měi每
féng逢
chūn春
jié节
，
jiā家
jiā家
hù户
hù户
dōu都
yào要
fén焚
xiāng香
jì祭
zǔ祖
。
Every Spring Festival, every household burns incense to honor their ancestors.
verb
to light incense (to create a serene atmosphere or for aesthetic enjoyment)
literaryUsed in literary or refined contexts, often associated with practicing calligraphy, playing music, meditation, or reading.
Gǔ古
rén人
dú读
shū书
qián前
cháng常
xiān先
fén焚
xiāng香
jìng静
zuò坐
，
yǐ以
jìng静
xīn心
níng凝
shén神
。
Ancient scholars would often light incense and sit quietly before reading to calm their minds and focus their thoughts.
Tā她
zài在
shū书
fáng房
lǐ里
fén焚
xiāng香
cāo操
qín琴
，
qín琴
shēng声
yōu悠
yáng扬
。
She lit incense and played the qin in her study, the melody lingering in the air.
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Pǐn品
míng茗
fén焚
xiāng香
，
shì是
wén文
rén人
yǎ雅
shì士
de的
yī一
dà大
lè乐
qù趣
。
Tasting tea and burning incense is a great pleasure for refined scholars.