信仰

• Pinyin: xìn yǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 信 = 人 (person) + 言 (speech), meaning to believe or trust; 仰 = 人 (person) + 卬 (looking up), meaning to admire or look up

Meaning

Faith; belief; creed. Strong conviction in a religion, ideology, or set of values.

Can refer to religious faith (宗教信仰) or secular beliefs (政治信仰). Also used more broadly for deeply held values or guiding principles in life. In modern Chinese discourse, 信仰 often appears in discussions of purpose, meaning, and spiritual needs.

Examples

1. 宗教信仰自由是公民的基本权利。 Freedom of religious belief is a basic right of citizens.
2. 她把环保当作自己的信仰，从不使用一次性塑料。 She treats environmental protection as her creed and never uses disposable plastics.
3. 很多人感到迷茫，是因为缺少一个明确的人生信仰。 Many people feel lost because they lack a clear guiding belief in life.

Usage Guide

Context: religious, philosophical, ideological

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 你有什么信仰吗？(Do you have any faith/beliefs?)
• 信仰自由很重要。(Freedom of belief is important.)

Don't Say

• 我信仰这个餐厅 — 信仰用于宗教或重要价值观，喜欢餐厅说'我很喜欢'或'我是忠实顾客'

Origin & History

Compound of 信 (to believe, trust) + 仰 (to look up, admire). Together meaning to believe in and look up to something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal