慈善

• Pinyin: cí shàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 慈 = 兹 + 心 (kindness, maternal love); 善 = 羊 + 言 (goodness, virtue)

Meaning

Charitable; philanthropic. Describes actions, organizations, or sentiments related to helping those in need through donations or volunteer work.

Used as both adjective and noun. As a noun, refers to charity or philanthropy in general. Common in compounds like 慈善机构 (charitable organization), 慈善事业 (charitable cause), 慈善晚宴 (charity gala).

Examples

1. 这位企业家热心慈善事业，多年来捐款累计超过十亿元。 This entrepreneur is passionate about philanthropy and has donated over one billion yuan over the years.
2. 她退休后全身心投入慈善工作，帮助贫困山区的孩子们上学。 After retiring, she devoted herself entirely to charitable work, helping children in impoverished mountain areas attend school.
3. 公司每年都会举办慈善拍卖会，所得款项全部用于资助困难家庭。 The company holds a charity auction every year, with all proceeds going to support families in need.

Usage Guide

Context: philanthropy, social work, business

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 他一直默默做慈善，从不张扬。(He has always quietly done charitable work without seeking attention.)
• 这是一家知名的慈善机构。(This is a well-known charitable organization.)

Don't Say

• 我给朋友买咖啡是慈善 (Casual generosity between friends isn't 慈善 — use it for organized giving to those in need)

Origin & History

Compound of 慈 (kind, loving — especially maternal love) + 善 (good, virtuous). Together expressing benevolent goodness toward others.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal