at home; lay (not ordained)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to be at home; to be in; to not go out
Indicates physical presence at one's residence, workplace, or accommodation. Can be used as a predicate or as a modifier (e.g., 在家工作).
Wǒ我
jīn今
tiān天
zài在
jiā家
，
nǐ你
kě可
yǐ以
lái来
zhǎo找
wǒ我
。
I'm at home today; you can come find me.
Tā他
zhōu周
mò末
xǐ喜
huan欢
zài在
jiā家
kàn看
shū书
，
bù不
xǐ喜
huan欢
wài外
chū出
。
He likes to read at home on weekends and doesn't like going out.
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Lǎo老
shī师
jīn今
tiān天
bù不
zài在
jiā家
，
míng明
tiān天
zài再
lái来
ba吧
。
The teacher isn't home today; come again tomorrow.
adjective
lay; secular; not ordained (as opposed to monastic)
technicalBuddhist/Taoist terminology contrasting with 出家 (leaving home to become a monk/nun). Often used in compounds like 在家人 (layperson) or 在家众 (lay community).
Chū出
jiā家
rén人
hé和
zài在
jiā家
rén人
dōu都
kě可
yǐ以
xiū修
xíng行
fó佛
fǎ法
。
Both monastics and laypeople can practice the Dharma.
Tā他
shì是
zài在
jiā家
jū居
shì士
，
dàn但
měi每
tiān天
chí持
jiè戒
sòng诵
jīng经
。
He is a lay Buddhist, but he keeps precepts and chants sutras every day.
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Yǔ与
chū出
jiā家
xiū修
xíng行
bù不
tóng同
，
zài在
jiā家
xiū修
xíng行
yào要
miàn面
duì对
gèng更
duō多
de的
shì世
sú俗
fán烦
nǎo恼
。
Unlike monastic practice, lay practice requires facing more worldly worries.