赞美上帝
zànměi shàngdì
In Chinese, "praise God" is expressed as 赞美上帝 (zànměi shàngdì).
This phrase is an expression used to give thanks or glory to God. In many Christian worship settings, the shorter form 赞美主 is frequently used to mean "praise the Lord".
What does it mean word for word?
The word 赞美 (zànměi) means "to praise" or "to extol".
Which one should you use?
While 赞美上帝 is common in Protestant contexts, 赞美天主 is the specific term used by Catholics in Chinese to say "praise God".
How do you pronounce it?
zànměi shàngdì
Did you know?
- When using 赞美上帝, the word 赞 (zàn) can also be used in modern internet slang to mean 'to click like' or to give a quick, public thumbs-up on social media.
- The term 上帝 (shàngdì) has a long history as a title for the 'Supreme Emperor' in ancient Chinese cosmology, long before it was adopted to translate the Christian 'God'.
- While 赞美上帝 is common among Protestants, Catholics almost exclusively use 赞美天主 to refer to God. This distinction is a fundamental way to identify a person's denominational background in Chinese.
Examples in context
- 我们要赞美上帝。Wǒmen yào zànměi Shàngdì.We should praise God.
- 我们在教堂赞美上帝。Wǒmen zài jiàotáng zànměi Shàngdì.We praise God in the church.
- 请让我们一起赞美上帝。Qǐng ràng wǒmen yīqǐ zànměi Shàngdì.Please let us praise God together.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a miracle recovery.
- 俊杰 Junjie俊杰，听说你的奶奶康复了！Jùnjié, tīngshuō nǐ de nǎinai kāngfùle!Junjie, I heard your grandmother has recovered!
- 梓涵 Zihan是的，赞美上帝，她现在很好。Shì de, zànměi Shàngdì, tā xiànzài hěn hǎo.Yes, praise God, she is doing very well now.
- 俊杰 Junjie这真是个奇迹。Zhè zhēnshì gè qíjī.That really is a miracle.
- 梓涵 Zihan谢谢你的关心，梓涵。Xièxiè nǐ de guānxīn, Zǐhán.Thank you for your concern, Zihan.
