施舍 (shī shě) is a verb meaning 'to give alms' or 'to donate charitably', especially to the poor, beggars, or religious practitioners. The first character 施 (shī) means 'to carry out' or 'to bestow', while the second character 舍 (shě) means 'to give up' or 'to part with' — together they convey the idea of voluntarily giving away something valuable, often with a sense of compassion or religious merit. Historically tied to Buddhist and Taoist traditions, 施舍 carries moral weight and implies humility and selflessness.

This word is commonly used in contexts involving charity, temple offerings, or acts of kindness toward those in need. It’s more formal and literary than everyday words like 捐赠 (juānzèng, 'to donate') or 给 (gěi, 'to give'), and often appears in written texts, news reports on philanthropy, or discussions of traditional ethics. While it can describe material giving (money, food, clothes), it may also imply spiritual generosity, such as offering patience or forgiveness.