佛寺 (fó sì) literally combines 佛 (fó), meaning 'Buddha' or 'Buddhist', and 寺 (sì), meaning 'temple' or 'monastery'. Together, it specifically refers to a Buddhist temple — a place of worship, meditation, and monastic life in Chinese Buddhism. Unlike generic terms like 庙 (miào), which can refer to temples for various deities or folk gods, 佛寺 explicitly denotes institutions affiliated with Buddhism, often housing monks, statues of the Buddha, sutras, and meditation halls.

佛寺 are common throughout China and other East Asian countries, ranging from small rural shrines to large historic complexes like the Shaolin Temple or Lingyin Temple. They serve both religious functions and cultural roles — as sites for festivals (e.g., Buddha’s Birthday), pilgrimages, and quiet reflection. The word is neutral in register and used in both spoken and written contexts, though it’s more formal than colloquial alternatives like 庙 when referring specifically to Buddhist practice.