Meaning
祈祷 means to pray or offer prayers, typically to a deity, Buddha, or higher power. It refers to the act of making earnest requests or expressing hopes through prayer, whether in religious contexts or more generally wishing for good outcomes.
Usage
祈祷 is commonly used in religious contexts (Buddhism, Christianity, etc.) but also appears in secular expressions of hope or wishes. It can be used both as a verb (to pray) and as a noun (prayer). Native speakers use it when discussing religious practices, expressing sincere hopes for others, or describing the act of making wishes at temples or churches.
Examples
- 01她每天晚上都会为家人的平安祈祷。.She prays for her family's safety every evening.
- 02让我们为地震灾区的人们祈祷。.Let us pray for the people in the earthquake-stricken area.
Characters
Measure words
- 次做一次祈祷
Common collocations
- 为...祈祷...to pray for...
- 默默祈祷to pray silently
- 虔诚祈祷to pray devoutly
- 祈祷和平to pray for peace
Origin
Both characters contain the radical 示 (shì), which relates to spirits, gods, and religious matters. 祈 originally depicted offering sacrifices to seek blessings, while 祷 specifically meant addressing deities with prayers.