清真寺

• Pinyin: qīng zhēn sì
• Hanzi breakdown: 清 = 氵+ 青 (pure/clear); 真 = 十 + 目 + 八 (true/genuine); 寺 = 土 + 寸 (temple/hall)

Meaning

Mosque; the Islamic house of worship where Muslims gather for communal prayers and religious activities.

The standard Mandarin term for mosque. 清真 historically meant 'pure and true' and was used by Chinese Muslims (Hui people) to describe Islam. 寺 (temple/hall) extends the term to the building itself. Used in geographical, cultural, religious, and journalistic contexts.

Examples

1. 这座历史悠久的清真寺建于明朝初年，至今已有六百多年的历史。 This historic mosque was built in the early Ming dynasty and has a history of more than 600 years.
2. 每逢斋月期间，清真寺内人流如织，信徒们共同礼拜、分享斋饭。 During Ramadan, the mosque is packed with people as worshippers pray together and share the evening meal to break the fast.
3. 城市规划方案中专门为当地穆斯林社区预留了建造清真寺的用地。 The city’s master plan set aside land specifically for the local Muslim community to build a mosque.

Usage Guide

Context: religion, culture, architecture, geography

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 游客参观清真寺时应尊重当地宗教习俗，注意着装得体，保持肃静。(When visiting a mosque, tourists should respect local religious customs, dress appropriately, and maintain a respectful silence.)
• 西安化觉巷清真寺是中国现存规模最大、保存最完整的古代清真寺之一。(The Huajue Lane Mosque in Xi'an is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient mosques still extant in China.)

Don't Say

• 去清真寺吃饭 — halal restaurants are 清真餐厅 or 清真饭馆; 清真寺 is exclusively the mosque building, not a dining establishment

Origin & History

清真 (pure and true; Chinese term for Islam) + 寺 (temple/place of worship) — the pure-and-true place of worship

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal