noun
Uncommon
shen
SHEHN
Shen (noun) means In Chinese folk religion, a spirit or deity. Example: “Offerings were left at the shrine to honour the local shen.”
noun
1
In Chinese folk religion, a spirit or deity.
"Offerings were left at the shrine to honour the local shen."
2
In Chinese mythology, a shapeshifting sea monster (sometimes imagined as a dragon or giant clam) said to conjure mirages over water.
"Sailors blamed the strange mirage on the shen said to haunt the strait."
How to use shen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA spirit or mythical shapeshifting sea creature from Chinese tradition.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like shen.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- shens
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Offerings were left at the shrine to honour the local _____.
Etymology
From the romanization of the Mandarin word for this class of spirit or mythical creature; also a common Chinese surname with several distinct origins.
Rhymes for shen
See all rhymes for shen →Frequently asked questions
What does “shen” mean?
The word “shen” means in Chinese folk religion, a spirit or deity. In plain terms, a spirit or mythical shapeshifting sea creature from Chinese tradition.
How do you pronounce “shen”?
“Shen” is pronounced SHEHN (/ˈʃɛn/ in IPA).
How do you use “shen” in a sentence?
Here is “shen” used in a sentence: “Offerings were left at the shrine to honour the local shen.”
What part of speech is “shen”?
“Shen” is a noun.
Where does the word “shen” come from?
The word “shen” comes from Chinese. From the romanization of the Mandarin word for this class of spirit or mythical creature; also a common Chinese surname with several distinct origins.
Is “shen” a common word?
“Shen” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “shen” have?
“Shen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in Chinese folk religion, a spirit or deity.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include shen:
