qídǎo: 祈祷 - To Pray, Prayer

• Keywords: pray in Chinese, how to say prayer in Chinese, qidao meaning, 祈祷 pinyin, Chinese word for prayer, Chinese religious terms, pray for someone Chinese, Buddhist prayer, Christian prayer in Chinese, 祷告 vs 祈祷
• Summary: Learn how to say “pray” in Chinese with the word 祈祷 (qídǎo). This comprehensive guide covers its meaning, character origins, and cultural significance in China. Discover how 祈祷 is used in both religious contexts (like Buddhism, Taoism, and Christianity) and in secular situations to express a deep, heartfelt hope. With practical example sentences, you'll understand when to use 祈祷 and how to avoid common mistakes, distinguishing it from related words like `希望 (xīwàng)` (to hope) and `祷告 (dǎogào)`.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qídǎo
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To pray to a deity or higher power; the act of prayer or entreaty.
• In a Nutshell: 祈祷 (qídǎo) is the primary Chinese word for “to pray” or “prayer.” It carries a sense of formality and sincerity, describing the act of communicating with a divine being, spirit, or higher power to ask for blessings, help, guidance, or to express gratitude. While strongly associated with organized religion, it can also be used metaphorically to express a desperate or profound hope for a positive outcome.

• 祈 (qí): This character is about making a request to the divine. The left-side radical, 示 (shì), represents an altar or matters related to spirits and worship. The right side, 斤 (jīn), originally an axe, here primarily provides the sound. Together, they form the image of making a formal request at an altar.
• 祷 (dǎo): This character means to pray for a specific outcome. It shares the same 示 (shì) radical on the left, grounding it in spirituality. The right side, 寿 (shòu), means “longevity.” The combination vividly paints a picture of someone praying at an altar for a long and healthy life, a very common motivation for prayer.

When combined, 祈祷 (qídǎo) forms a powerful and formal term that means “to formally request from the spirits” or “to pray for a specific blessing.”

In the West, “prayer” is often heavily associated with Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam). In China, 祈祷 (qídǎo) encompasses a much broader spiritual landscape.

• Folk Religion and Ancestor Worship: Many Chinese people will 祈祷 to ancestors or local deities (like the Kitchen God or a city god) for very practical things: success on an exam, a safe journey, or the birth of a healthy child. This often involves rituals like burning incense (烧香 shāoxiāng) and leaving offerings at a temple or home altar.
• Buddhism and Taoism: In these traditions, 祈祷 can be part of a larger practice that includes chanting sutras, meditation, and making offerings. One might pray to a Bodhisattva like Guanyin (观音) for compassion and mercy, or to a Taoist deity for harmony and balance.
• Comparison to Western “Prayer”: A key difference is the concept of “pragmatic spirituality.” It's very common in China for a person who isn't strictly religious to visit a temple to 祈祷 for a specific, tangible goal (e.g., “I'll make a donation if I get this promotion”). This is often seen as less about deep theological belief and more about showing respect and seeking good fortune. This contrasts with some Western concepts of prayer that emphasize a personal, ongoing relationship with a single God.

While China is officially a secular state, the act and concept of 祈祷 remain deeply embedded in its cultural fabric, visible in temples, festivals, and personal family traditions.

祈祷 is a relatively formal word. It's used when the situation is serious, solemn, or deeply emotional.

• Religious Contexts: This is its most direct usage.
• `在教堂里祈祷` (zài jiàotáng lǐ qídǎo) - to pray in a church.
• `去寺庙祈祷` (qù sìmiào qídǎo) - to go to a temple to pray.
• Secular / Metaphorical Contexts: In modern usage, it's often used to express a profound hope or solidarity, similar to the English phrase “my thoughts and prayers are with you.”
• Following a natural disaster, news reports and social media posts will often say: `我们为灾区人民祈祷` (Wǒmen wèi zāiqū rénmín qídǎo) - “We pray for the people in the disaster area.” This is used by religious and non-religious people alike to show compassion and hope.
• Formality: You would not use 祈祷 for a simple, everyday wish. For “I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow,” you would use `希望 (xīwàng)`, not 祈祷. Using 祈祷 would sound overly dramatic, as if you were pleading with the heavens to stop the rain.

• Example 1:
  • 她每天早上都会祈祷。
  • Pinyin: Tā měitiān zǎoshang dōu huì qídǎo.
  • English: She prays every morning.
  • Analysis: A simple, direct sentence showing 祈祷 as a regular activity.
• Example 2:
  • 我们都在为你祈祷，希望你早日康复。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen dōu zài wèi nǐ qídǎo, xīwàng nǐ zǎorì kāngfù.
  • English: We are all praying for you, hoping for your speedy recovery.
  • Analysis: This shows the common structure `为 (wèi) + [person] + 祈祷`, meaning “to pray for [person]”.
• Example 3:
  • 母亲去寺庙为即将参加高考的儿子祈祷。
  • Pinyin: Mǔqīn qù sìmiào wèi jíjiāng cānjiā gāokǎo de érzi qídǎo.
  • English: The mother went to the temple to pray for her son who is about to take the college entrance exam.
  • Analysis: A culturally specific and very common scenario for prayer in China. The “gaokao” (高考) is a high-stakes exam.
• Example 4:
  • 面对困难，除了祈祷，我们更需要行动。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì kùnnán, chúle qídǎo, wǒmen gèng xūyào xíngdòng.
  • English: In the face of difficulties, besides prayer, we need action even more.
  • Analysis: Here, 祈祷 is used as a noun (“prayer”) and is contrasted with `行动 (xíngdòng)` (action).
• Example 5:
  • 让我们一起为世界和平而祈祷。
  • Pinyin: Ràng wǒmen yīqǐ wèi shìjiè hépíng ér qídǎo.
  • English: Let's pray for world peace together.
  • Analysis: A common, formal use of 祈祷 for a large, abstract concept. The structure `为…而祈祷 (wèi…ér qídǎo)` means “to pray for the purpose of…”.
• Example 6:
  • 他默默地祈祷，希望奇迹能够发生。
  • Pinyin: Tā mòmò de qídǎo, xīwàng qíjì nénggòu fāshēng.
  • English: He prayed silently, hoping a miracle would happen.
  • Analysis: This highlights that prayer can be a silent, internal act. `默默地 (mòmò de)` means “silently.”
• Example 7:
  • 他的祈祷似乎得到了回应，第二天病情就好转了。
  • Pinyin: Tā de qídǎo sìhū dédàole huíyìng, dì'èr tiān bìngqíng jiù hǎozhuǎn le.
  • English: His prayer seemed to be answered, as his condition improved the next day.
  • Analysis: Another example of 祈祷 used as a noun.
• Example 8:
  • 在古代，皇帝会举行盛大的仪式来祈祷丰收。
  • Pinyin: Zài gǔdài, huángdì huì jǔxíng shèng-dà de yíshì lái qídǎo fēngshōu.
  • English: In ancient times, the emperor would hold a grand ceremony to pray for a good harvest.
  • Analysis: This provides historical context, linking prayer to official state rituals.
• Example 9:
  • 不管你信不信，这一刻我只能为你祈祷。
  • Pinyin: Bùguǎn nǐ xìn bù xìn, zhè yīkè wǒ zhǐ néng wèi nǐ qídǎo.
  • English: Whether you believe it or not, at this moment all I can do is pray for you.
  • Analysis: Shows a secular, emotional use of the term, expressing helplessness and a deep desire for someone's well-being.
• Example 10:
  • 她的祈祷词充满了虔诚和希望。
  • Pinyin: Tā de qídǎocí chōngmǎnle qiánchéng hé xīwàng.
  • English: Her prayer (the words of her prayer) was full of piety and hope.
  • Analysis: `祈祷词 (qídǎocí)` is a compound word meaning “the words of a prayer” or a written prayer.

• 祈祷 (qídǎo) vs. 希望 (xīwàng): This is the most common mistake for learners. 祈祷 is formal, serious, and implies a higher power. 希望 (xīwàng) means “to hope” or “to wish” and is used for everyday desires.
  • Incorrect: 我祈祷明天是个好天气。(Wǒ qídǎo míngtiān shì ge hǎo tiānqì.) - Overly dramatic for the weather.
  • Correct: 我希望明天是个好天气。(Wǒ xīwàng míngtiān shì ge hǎo tiānqì.) - “I hope tomorrow's weather is good.”
• 祈祷 (qídǎo) vs. 祷告 (dǎogào): These are very close synonyms, and often interchangeable. However, there's a slight nuance. 祷告 (dǎogào) is more frequently used in Christian contexts and often implies a direct, spoken communication with God. 祈祷 (qídǎo) is a broader term that can include the silent, ritualistic, or meditative practices found in Buddhism, Taoism, and folk religions. For a general audience, 祈祷 is always a safe choice.
• 祈祷 (qídǎo) vs. 拜拜 (bàibai): 祈祷 is the internal or verbal act of praying. `拜拜 (bàibai)` is the physical act of worship, especially bowing or paying respects with hands clasped. You might perform 拜拜 while you 祈祷, but they are not the same thing.

• 祷告 (dǎogào) - A very close synonym, often used specifically in Christian contexts to mean “to pray.”
• 希望 (xīwàng) - The common, secular word for “to hope” or “to wish.”
• 保佑 (bǎoyòu) - To bless and protect. This is often what you are asking for when you 祈祷. (e.g., `祈祷上帝保佑你` - Pray for God to bless you).
• 祝福 (zhùfú) - To bless; a blessing. A more common and secular way to wish someone well.
• 许愿 (xǔyuàn) - To make a wish. This is the act of stating your desire, often at a temple or on a special occasion like a birthday. It's a key part of the 祈祷 process.
• 烧香 (shāoxiāng) - To burn incense. A common ritual that accompanies prayer in Chinese temples.
• 拜佛 (bàifó) - To worship the Buddha. A specific form of worship involving prayer and physical reverence.
• 寺庙 (sìmiào) - Temple; monastery. A common place to go to 祈祷.
• 教堂 (jiàotáng) - Church. The specific place where Christians go to 祈祷.
• 上帝 (shàngdì) - God, particularly the God of Abrahamic religions.