====== shízìjià: 十字架 - Cross, Crucifix ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** 十字架, shi zi jia, shizijia, cross in Chinese, crucifix in Chinese, Christian cross, Christianity in China, Chinese Christian vocabulary, Chinese religious terms, what is the Chinese word for cross.
  * **Summary:** "十字架" (shízìjià) is the primary Chinese word for the cross, especially the one central to Christianity representing the crucifixion of Jesus. A literal translation is "ten-character frame," which graphically describes its shape. While it can refer to a cross-shaped object, its meaning is overwhelmingly tied to its religious significance, making it a key term for understanding Christianity in China and a useful word for discussing history, art, and even figurative burdens.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shí zì jià
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 6
  * **Concise Definition:** A cross, especially the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
  * **In a Nutshell:** 十字架 is the direct and standard term for a cross. Think of the symbol of Christianity—that's a 十字架. The name itself is very descriptive: it combines the character for "ten" (十), which looks like a cross, with the character for "frame" (架), turning the shape into a physical object. While you might see it used for other cross-shaped structures, 99% of the time it refers to the religious symbol.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **十 (shí):** The character for the number ten. Its simple form, a vertical stroke crossed by a horizontal one, is the visual basis for the word.
  * **字 (zì):** The character for "character" or "word." In this context, it functions as a descriptor, so "十字" (shízì) means "in the shape of the character '十'," or more simply, "cross-shaped."
  * **架 (jià):** This character means "frame," "rack," "scaffold," or "structure." It gives the shape a sense of being a physical, three-dimensional object.
When combined, 十字架 (shízìjià) literally means a "ten-character frame" or "cross-shaped structure," a perfect physical description of a crucifix.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
The 十字架 holds almost exclusively religious significance in China. Unlike in the West, where the cross has been adopted into secular fashion, jewelry, and pop culture, in China it is very clearly and strongly associated with Christianity (基督教, Jīdūjiào).
  * **Comparison to Western Culture:** In America or Europe, seeing someone wear a cross necklace doesn't automatically mean they are a devout Christian; it can be a cultural or fashion statement. In China, however, the public display of a 十字架 is a much clearer indicator of Christian faith. It's primarily seen on churches (教堂, jiàotáng), inside the homes of believers, or as personal devotional items. It lacks the widespread secular cultural footprint it has in the West.
  * **A Symbol of "Foreignness":** For many non-Christian Chinese, the 十字架 is a potent symbol of a "Western" or foreign religion. While Christianity has a long history in China, it is not considered a traditional or indigenous belief system like Taoism or Buddhism. Therefore, the cross stands out as a distinct and non-native symbol.
  * **Figurative Meaning:** Despite this, the biblical idiom "to bear one's cross" has been adopted into Chinese as "背十字架" (bēi shízìjià), meaning to endure a heavy burden or responsibility. This shows the influence of Christian culture on the language, even if the symbol itself isn't fully integrated into mainstream secular culture.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **Religious Context:** This is the most common use. It's used when discussing churches, faith, Jesus, or the Bible. You will hear it in sermons, among Christian friends, and in historical discussions.
  * **Figurative Language:** The phrase "背十字架" (bēi shízìjià - to carry a cross) is understood by many educated speakers, regardless of their religious beliefs, to mean shouldering a significant hardship.
  * **Describing Cross-Shaped Objects:** While technically possible, it is much more common to use "十字形" (shízìxíng - cross-shaped) or just "十字" (shízì) for non-religious objects. For example, a Phillips screwdriver is a "十字螺丝刀" (shízì luósīdāo), not a "十字架螺丝刀". Using 十字架 for a non-religious item can sound strange or overly dramatic.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 教堂的尖顶上有一个巨大的**十字架**。
    * Pinyin: Jiàotáng de jiāndǐng shàng yǒu yí ge jùdà de **shízìjià**.
    * English: There is a huge cross on the steeple of the church.
    * Analysis: A simple, descriptive sentence showing the most common physical context for a 十字架.
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 很多基督徒的脖子上都戴着**十字架**项链。
    * Pinyin: Hěn duō Jīdūtú de bózi shàng dōu dài zhe **shízìjià** xiàngliàn.
    * English: Many Christians wear cross necklaces.
    * Analysis: This sentence connects the object directly to the people who use it as a symbol of faith.
  * **Example 3:** 
    * 在基督教中，**十字架**象征着牺牲与救赎。
    * Pinyin: Zài Jīdūjiào zhōng, **shízìjià** xiàngzhēng zhe xīshēng yǔ jiùshú.
    * English: In Christianity, the cross symbolizes sacrifice and salvation.
    * Analysis: This explains the abstract, symbolic meaning of the term.
  * **Example 4:** 
    * 耶稣被钉死在**十字架**上是《圣经》里的一个核心故事。
    * Pinyin: Yēsū bèi dīng sǐ zài **shízìjià** shàng shì "Shèngjīng" lǐ de yí ge héxīn gùshi.
    * English: Jesus being crucified on the cross is a core story in the Bible.
    * Analysis: This sentence describes the key historical and religious event associated with the 十字架.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 照顾他年迈的父母是他必须背负的**十字架**。
    * Pinyin: Zhàogù tā niánmài de fùmǔ shì tā bìxū bēifù de **shízìjià**.
    * English: Taking care of his elderly parents is the cross he must bear.
    * Analysis: A perfect example of the figurative use of 十字架 to mean a heavy, unavoidable responsibility.
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 牧师在祈祷前，用手在胸前划了一个**十字架**。
    * Pinyin: Mùshī zài qídǎo qián, yòng shǒu zài xiōngqián huà le yí ge **shízìjià**.
    * English: Before praying, the pastor made the sign of the cross on his chest.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates the common collocation "划十字架" (huà shízìjià), to make the sign of the cross.
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 这幅古老的油画描绘了耶稣和两个盗贼被挂在**十字架**上的情景。
    * Pinyin: Zhè fú gǔlǎo de yóuhuà miáohuì le Yēsū hé liǎng ge dàozéi bèi guà zài **shízìjià** shàng de qíngjǐng.
    * English: This ancient oil painting depicts the scene of Jesus and the two thieves hanging on crosses.
    * Analysis: Used here in an art history context, referring to multiple crosses.
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 看到那个红色的**十字架**，我就知道医院不远了。
    * Pinyin: Kàndào nàge hóngsè de **shízìjià**, wǒ jiù zhīdào yīyuàn bù yuǎn le.
    * English: Seeing that red cross, I knew the hospital wasn't far.
    * Analysis: While technically the Red Cross symbol is just "红十字" (hóng shízì), in colloquial speech people might say 红十字架 to refer to the object/sign itself. This is a slightly less common but understandable usage.
  * **Example 9:** 
    * 他认为这个错误的决定将成为他职业生涯的**十字架**。
    * Pinyin: Tā rènwéi zhège cuòwù de juédìng jiāng chéngwéi tā zhíyè shēngyá de **shízìjià**.
    * English: He believes this wrong decision will become the cross of his career.
    * Analysis: Another strong figurative example, framing a burden in a professional context.
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 士兵的墓碑被做成了简单的木制**十字架**。
    * Pinyin: Shìbīng de mùbēi bèi zuòchéng le jiǎndān de mùzhì **shízìjià**.
    * English: The soldier's gravestone was made into a simple wooden cross.
    * Analysis: Shows the use of 十字架 in a memorial or funerary context.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
The most common mistake for learners is confusing **十字架 (shízìjià)** with **十字 (shízì)**.
  *   **十字 (shízì):** Refers to the *shape* of a cross. It's an adjective or part of a compound noun. Think "cross-shaped."
  *   **十字架 (shízìjià):** Refers to the *object* of a cross, usually the religious symbol. It is a noun.
**Examples of Correct/Incorrect Usage:**
  *   **Intersection:**
    * Correct: 我们在**十字**路口见。 (Wǒmen zài **shízì** lùkǒu jiàn.) - Let's meet at the crossroads.
    * Incorrect: 我们在~~十字架~~路口见。 (This would mean "Let's meet at the crucifix road intersection," which makes no sense.)
  *   **Screwdriver:**
    * Correct: 我需要一把**十字**螺丝刀。 (Wǒ xūyào yì bǎ **shízì** luósīdāo.) - I need a Phillips (cross-shaped) screwdriver.
    * Incorrect: 我需要一把~~十字架~~螺丝刀。 (This would imply a screwdriver shaped like a crucifix.)
Rule of thumb: If you're describing the shape of something (an intersection, a screw head, a pattern), use **十字**. If you're talking about the actual object of a cross, especially in a religious or symbolic context, use **十字架**.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[基督教]] (Jīdūjiào) - Christianity. The religion in which the 十字架 is the central symbol.
  * [[耶稣]] (Yēsū) - Jesus. The person crucified on the 十字架 according to Christian belief.
  * [[教堂]] (jiàotáng) - Church. The building where you are most likely to find a 十字架.
  * [[圣经]] (Shèngjīng) - The Holy Bible. The sacred text that tells the story of the crucifixion.
  * [[牺牲]] (xīshēng) - Sacrifice. A core theological concept symbolized by the 十字架.
  * [[复活节]] (Fùhuójié) - Easter. The holiday that commemorates the resurrection following the crucifixion.
  * [[十字路口]] (shízì lùkǒu) - Crossroads, intersection. A key example showing how "十字" (shízì) is used to mean "cross-shaped" in a non-religious context.
  * [[红十字会]] (Hóngshízìhuì) - The Red Cross Society. An international organization whose symbol is a red cross. Note the name uses "红十字" (hóng shízì), not "红十字架."
  * [[上帝]] (Shàngdì) - God. The term for God generally used by Chinese Protestants.
  * [[天主教]] (Tiānzhǔjiào) - Catholicism. A major branch of Christianity where the crucifix (a cross with Jesus's body on it) is particularly important.