启示
Traditional: 啟示
qǐ shì HSK 6

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

这本书给了我很多启示。
Zhè běn shū gěi le wǒ hěnduō qǐshì.
This book gave me a lot of inspiration.
他的故事有深刻启示。
Tā de gùshi yǒu shēnkè qǐshì.
His story has profound enlightenment.
失败是成功的启示。
Shībài shì chénggōng de qǐshì.
Failure is an inspiration for success.
这本书给我启示。
Zhè běn shū gěi wǒ qǐshì.
This book gives me inspiration.
他的故事有启示。
Tā de gùshi yǒu qǐshì.
His story has enlightenment.

💡 Memory Tip

Break down the characters: 启 (qǐ) means 'to open' or 'to enlighten,' and 示 (shì) means 'to show' or 'to indicate.' Together, they suggest 'opening up to show' a new insight—like a lightbulb moment revealing deeper understanding.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is formal and commonly used in written Chinese, such as in literature, academic texts, or speeches. It can appear in both spoken and written contexts when discussing philosophical, spiritual, or life-changing insights, but it is less casual than synonyms like '启发'.

📖 Grammar Points

启示 is primarily used as a noun and often follows verbs like '得到' (dédào, to obtain), '获得' (huòdé, to gain), or '给予' (jǐyǔ, to give). It can be modified by adjectives like '深刻' (shēnkè, profound) or '重要' (zhòngyào, important) to describe the nature of the insight.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 启示 can carry spiritual or philosophical connotations, sometimes associated with traditional wisdom, historical lessons, or moral guidance. It reflects a value placed on learning from experiences to achieve personal growth or societal improvement.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to '启发' (qǐfā), which is more general and often used as a verb meaning 'to inspire' or 'to enlighten,' 启示 emphasizes a deeper, often transformative revelation, usually as a noun. '灵感' (línggǎn) refers more to creative inspiration or sudden ideas, while 启示 implies a moral or intellectual awakening.

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