Definition
求雨 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to pray for rain' — a traditional ritual performed in times of drought, often involving offerings, processions, or ceremonies to ask heaven for rain. The verb 求 can split from 雨 to insert measure words, objects, or duration (e.g. 求了三天雨 'prayed for rain for three days'). It's a culturally specific practice tied to Chinese agricultural history and folk religion.
v.o.
to pray for rain (as a ritual)
Examples
- 求雨。Cūn lǐ de rén dōu zài miào lǐ qiú yǔ.The villagers are all praying for rain in the temple.
- ，。Tāmen qiú le sān tiān yǔ, zhōngyú xià yǔ le.They prayed for rain for three days, and finally it rained.
- 求雨。Gǔdài huángdì yǒushí yě huì qīnzì qù qiú yǔ.Ancient emperors sometimes also personally went to pray for rain.
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