nirvana
nirvana — noun
1. In Buddhism, the highest spiritual state of liberation in which a person is comp
In Buddhism, the highest spiritual state of liberation in which a person is completely free from suffering because all selfish desires and attachments to the material world have been let go.
After forty years of discipline and meditation, the old monk finally reached nirvana.
reach nirvana — achieving the Buddhist spiritual goal
Niran asked the monk at the mountain temple whether nirvana could be reached in this lifetime.
nirvana used without article in Buddhist context
The temple's senior teacher explained that nirvana can be attained during one's own lifetime.
Chidi asked his professor whether nirvana meant the complete end of all personal wishes.
- enlightenment
Enlightenment is the process or moment of deep understanding; nirvana is the permanent state of freedom that follows
- liberation
More general term for being set free; nirvana is a specific Buddhist conception of liberation
- moksha
A parallel concept in Hinduism referring to release from the cycle of rebirth, with a different philosophical framework
- samsara
The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that nirvana releases one from
文法句型
attain nirvana
reach nirvana
achieve nirvana
seek nirvana
用法筆記
In Buddhism, nirvana is typically used without an article (not 'the nirvana'). Unlike heaven, it is not an afterlife destination but a spiritual state that can be attained while still alive through the extinction of desire.
常見錯誤
2. A condition of total perfection in which everything is exactly as it should be,
A condition of total perfection in which everything is exactly as it should be, with no flaws, disorder, or problems — for example, a room that is perfectly organised or a piece of music with flawless balance.
The chef described his spotless kitchen as a nirvana of perfect order and cleanliness.
a nirvana of + quality — describing perfection
For the recording engineer, the studio was a nirvana where every sound came out flawless.
Aaron kept every workshop tool in its exact place, calling it his personal nirvana of organisation.
The mathematician described her elegant proof as a nirvana of pure logical perfection.
- perfection
A direct synonym for the state, but less poetic and without the spiritual overtones of nirvana
- ideal
An ideal is a standard worth aiming for; nirvana is the achieved state of flawlessness
- zenith
Refers to the highest point of achievement; nirvana implies ongoing perfect condition, not just a peak moment
文法句型
a nirvana of [quality]
personal nirvana
a nirvana of [order/beauty/balance]
用法筆記
Frequently appears in the pattern 'a nirvana of [quality]', where the quality is an abstract ideal such as order, beauty, balance, or harmony. The noun phrase after 'of' names what is being perfected.
常見錯誤
3. A situation or experience of complete happiness, peace, and contentment, in whic
A situation or experience of complete happiness, peace, and contentment, in which nothing causes pain, stress, or worry — for example, relaxing in a beautiful place with no responsibilities.
Lying on the warm sand with a cold drink, Reema felt she had found nirvana.
find nirvana — informal expression of perfect contentment
After the long mountain hike, the hot bath was pure nirvana for Élise.
pure nirvana — informal intensifier
The seaside resort offered a week of total nirvana, with massages and quiet gardens.
For Andrew, a quiet Saturday with no phone calls or emails was absolute nirvana.
- bliss
Bliss emphasises intense joy or delight; nirvana suggests a deeper, more serene contentment
- heaven
Heaven is a religious afterlife concept; nirvana (sense 3) is a metaphor for earthly pleasure
- paradise
Paradise often implies a beautiful physical place; nirvana is more about a state of mind or feeling
文法句型
pure nirvana
absolute nirvana
total nirvana
find nirvana in [activity]
用法筆記
Common in informal, everyday speech. Typically modified by 'pure', 'total', or 'absolute' for emphasis. Unlike sense 1, this sense carries no religious weight and refers to ordinary pleasures.