gwai1 ji1皈依
Jyutpinggwai1 ji1
Yalegwāi yī
Definition
To formally vow to become a Buddhist.
neutralother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the formal act of taking refuge in the Three Jewels of Buddhism, which involves a ceremony with a monk or nun. It carries a sense of solemn commitment and spiritual transition rather than just having an interest in the religion. You will often hear it used in the context of someone leaving secular life to pursue monastic training.
Examples
He decided to convert to Buddhism and will practice vegetarianism from now on.
When did you start your conversion to Buddhism?
Related words
Common phrases
to enter the Buddhist path
to take refuge in the Three Jewels
Common mistake
Do not use this word to describe simply attending a temple or praying occasionally, as it implies a formal, life-changing vow. It is strictly reserved for the Buddhist context and cannot be used for conversion to other religions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
