宗教 zōngjiào religion
How to remember 宗教: 宗 ancestry + 教 teach = religion.
Characters
How it is used
- The general noun for religion as a category - 宗教信仰自由 (zōngjiào xìnyǎng zìyóu) freedom of religious belief.
- Refers to the institution/system (Buddhism, Islam, etc.), not personal faith itself, which is 信仰 (xìnyǎng).
- Attributive use is common: 宗教活动、宗教团体 (religious activities, religious groups).
Example sentences
- 我对中国宗教感兴趣。 Wǒ duì zhōngguó zōngjiào gǎnxìngqù.I am interested in Chinese religion.