慈 (cí) means 'kindness' or 'benevolence'—a warm, active wish for others to be happy and prosper. 悲 (bēi) means 'sorrow' or 'compassion'—not personal sadness, but the empathetic response to others’ suffering and the wish to relieve it. Together, 慈悲 expresses a profound, balanced Buddhist ideal: wishing happiness for all beings (慈) while simultaneously feeling moved by their pain and acting to end it (悲). It transcends ordinary pity or sympathy, embodying wisdom-infused care.

This term is deeply rooted in Mahayana Buddhism and appears frequently in scriptures, chants, and teachings. While used in religious contexts, it also appears in modern Chinese as a literary or elevated expression of deep, selfless compassion—often associated with figures like Guanyin (the Bodhisattva of Compassion). It carries solemnity and moral weight; it’s rarely used casually or in everyday small-talk.