Definition
念经 means to recite or chant scriptures, typically Buddhist sutras. It is a separable verb (离合词): syllables 念 and 经 can split to insert a measure word, duration, or other element (e.g. 念了半小时的经 'chanted sutras for half an hour'). The object 经 refers to religious texts, most often Buddhist. In colloquial usage it can also figuratively mean 'to nag' or 'to drone on,' but the core meaning is the literal chanting of scriptures.
v.o.
to recite scriptures (esp. Buddhist sutras)to chant sutras
Examples
- 念经。Zhè wèi lǎo héshang měitiān qīngchén dōu yào niàn jīng.This old monk chants scriptures every morning.
- 。Tā zuò zài pútuán shàng niàn le yí gè xiǎoshí de jīng.He sat on the meditation cushion and chanted sutras for an hour.
- 念经，。Sìmiào lǐ chuánlái niàn jīng de shēngyīn, ràng rén de xīn jìng xiàlái.The sound of scripture chanting from the temple calms the mind.
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