philanthropy
Definitions
The practice of giving money and effort to help others, especially through large-scale charitable donations
慈善事业（尤指大规模的慈善捐助）
Goodwill toward and active love of humanity
博爱，对人类的善意
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedphil (love) + anthrop (humankind, from anthrōpos) + -y (noun) = 'love of humanity.' It began as a broad ideal of goodwill toward all people, then narrowed in modern English to its most visible form: wealthy donors funding schools, hospitals, and foundations. The love is still there in the parts, even when today's usage points mostly at the checkbook.
Root phil still carries 11 more wordsWhy It Means This
The word's narrowing is its whole story. In Greek, philanthropia was an abstract virtue — kindness toward fellow humans. English kept that sense but, especially from the 19th century onward, attached it to organized charitable giving by the rich. Today 'philanthropy' almost always evokes foundations and big donations rather than simple everyday kindness.
Common Collocations
- 1.corporate philanthropy企业慈善
- 2.act of philanthropy慈善之举
- 3.promote philanthropy推动慈善事业
- 4.culture of philanthropy慈善文化
Example Sentences
- 1.
He devoted his later years and most of his fortune to philanthropy.
- 2.
Corporate philanthropy can improve a company's public image.
- 3.
Her philanthropy funded scholarships for hundreds of students.
Synonym Comparison
- philanthropy — large-scale, organized giving, usually by the wealthy: funding foundations and institutions
- charity — broader and more everyday: giving to those in need, from coins to organizations
- altruism — the underlying attitude of selfless concern for others, not the giving itself
- benevolence — a kindly disposition or goodwill, often without concrete action