Definition
养神 means to rest and restore your energy, often by closing your eyes and relaxing in a quiet state. It's a separable verb (离合词): you can insert time expressions or measure words between 养 and 神, such as 养一下神 ('rest a moment') or 养了一下午的神 ('rested all afternoon'). It also appears in the fixed phrase 闭目养神 ('close your eyes to rest'). In Daoist contexts, it can refer to cultivating one's spiritual essence.
v.o.
to rest and restore one's energy (often by closing the eyes and relaxing)(Daoism) to cultivate one's spiritual essence
Examples
- 。Tā bìshang yǎnjīng yǎng le yí xià shén.He closed his eyes and rested for a moment.
- ，养神。Xiàbān hòu, tā chángcháng jìngzuò yǎng shén.After work, he often sits quietly to rest.
- 。Tā yǎng le yí xiàwǔ de shén.She rested for the whole afternoon.
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