Guanyin (Chinese: 觀音; Pinyin: Guānyīn; Wade-Giles: kuan-yin; Japanese: Kannon; Korean: Gwan-eum) is the bodhisattva associated with compassion as venerated by East Asian Buddhists, usually as a female. The name Guanyin is short for Guanshiyin (觀世音, Pinyin: Guānshìyīn, Wade-Giles: kuan-shih yin) which means "Observing the Sounds (or Cries) of the World".