羅剎

Middle Chinese transliteration of Sanskrit राक्षस (rākṣasa).

羅剎

1. (Hindu mythology, Hinduism, Buddhism) rakshasa

• 羅叉／罗叉
• 羅叉娑／罗叉娑
• 羅剎娑／罗刹娑

Phono-semantic matching of Manchu ᠯᠣᠴᠠ (loca, “Russian”), from old Solon *lōča (“Russian”), possibly from Russian ловцы́ (lovcý, “fishermen, hunters”) or ло́вчий (lóvčij, “huntsman”).^[1]

Also intentionally used due to another meaning of this word, "rakshasa" (a sort of demon or monster), to demonize Russians during wars between the Qing Dynasty and the Russian Empire.

Compare also modern Solon ᠯᠣᠤᠲ (loot, “Russian”, noun), ᠯᠣᠤᠴᠠ (looqa, “Russian”, noun); Daur luaaq (“Russian”, noun); Nanai лоча (loča); Evenki лӯча (lūça), Even ню̄чи (ņūci), Yakut нуучча (nuucca); Ainu ヌチャ (nuca), etc.

羅剎

1. (obsolete, derogatory, chiefly used in Qing dynasty) Russia, Russians

   Synonyms: 俄國 / 俄国 (Éguó), 俄羅斯 / 俄罗斯 (Éluósī) (Russia)

   Synonym: 俄羅斯人 / 俄罗斯人 (éluósīrén) (Russian people)

   • 據郎坦等奏，攻取羅剎甚易，發兵三千足矣。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
     据郎坦等奏，攻取罗刹甚易，发兵三千足矣。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

     From: 1689, 《平定羅剎方略》 (Strategic Narrative of the Pacification of Russia)

     Jù Lángtǎn děng zòu, gōngqǔ Luóchà shèn yì, fā bīng sān qiān zú yǐ. [Pinyin]

     According to the report of Langtan and others, it is very easy to attack and seize Russia, sending 3,000 soldiers is enough.

   • 先是，黑龍江將軍薩布素奏，驍騎校碩格色等，往探羅剎情形。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
     先是，黑龙江将军萨布素奏，骁骑校硕格色等，往探罗刹情形。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

     From: 1731, 《聖祖仁皇帝實錄》

     Xiānshì, Hēilóngjiāng jiāngjūn Sàbùsù zòu, Xiāoqíjiào Shuògésè děng, wǎng tàn Luóchà qíngxíng. [Pinyin]

     Formerly, the Heilongjiang general Sabsu presented the report: those Funde Bošokū (驍騎校), such as Šogese, went to investigate the situation of Russians.

   • 而我聖祖猶宣諭諸將，謂中國兵馬精強，器械堅利，羅剎勢不能敵，歸誠時勿殺一人，俾還故土。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
     而我圣祖犹宣谕诸将，谓中国兵马精强，器械坚利，罗刹势不能敌，归诚时勿杀一人，俾还故土。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

     From: 1886, 陳康祺 (Chen Kangqi), 《郎潛紀聞》

     Ér wǒ Shèngzǔ yóu xuānyù zhū jiàng, wèi Zhōngguó bīngmǎ jīngqiáng, qìxiè jiānlì, Luóchà shì bùnéng dí, guīchéng shí wù shā yīrén, bǐ huán gùtǔ. [Pinyin]

     However, my Shengzu [Emperor Kangxi] still issued an order to the generals, saying that the Chinese soldiers and horses are strong, the weapons are strong, and the Russians are invincible. When they return to their hometown, they should not kill anyone in order to return to their homeland.

   • 羅剎犯我境，恃雅克薩城為巢穴，歷年已久，殺掠不已。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
     罗刹犯我境，恃雅克萨城为巢穴，历年已久，杀掠不已。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

     From: 1929, Zhao Erxun (lead editor), Draft History of Qing

     Luóchà fàn wǒ jìng, shì Yǎkèsà chéng wéi cháoxué, lìnián yǐjiǔ, shālüè bùyǐ. [Pinyin]

     The Russians have invaded our territory and have used the city of Yagsi as their nest. They have been killing and plundering for many years.

• Ding, Fubao (丁福保) (1922), “羅剎” in 佛學大辭典 [A Dictionary of Chinese Buddhist Terms].

羅剎

1. chữ Hán form of La Sát (“rakshasa”)