尊敬

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zūnjìng: 尊敬 - To Respect, To Revere

Quick Summary

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  • Summary: Learn the deep meaning of 尊敬 (zūnjìng), the Chinese word for a profound and formal type of respect. More than just politeness, `zūnjìng` is a core cultural value in China, essential for interacting with elders, teachers, and superiors. This guide explores its cultural roots in Confucianism, how to use it in modern conversation, and how it differs from the more general term `尊重 (zūnzhòng)`.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): zūnjìng
  • Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 4
  • Concise Definition: To hold someone in high esteem and reverence due to their age, status, or wisdom.
  • In a Nutshell: Think of 尊敬 (zūnjìng) as “respect” turned up to a ten. It’s not the casual, mutual respect you have for a friend, but a deep, formal, and often upward-facing respect shown towards someone of a higher status. This includes parents, grandparents, teachers, and senior colleagues. It carries a sense of reverence and acknowledgment of their position and wisdom.

Character Breakdown

  • 尊 (zūn): This character originally depicted a ceremonial wine vessel held with two hands, used in rituals to honor ancestors or deities. From this, it evolved to mean “to honor,” “to esteem,” “senior,” or “venerable.”
  • 敬 (jìng): This character signifies a sense of caution, reverence, and respect. It implies a serious and careful attitude. Think of the posture of someone bowing or handling a precious object with great care.
  • When combined, 尊敬 (zūnjìng) literally means “to honor and revere.” The characters reinforce each other to create a word that describes a profound, serious, and formal type of respect.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • 尊敬 is a cornerstone of Chinese social structure, deeply influenced by Confucian philosophy. It is a key component of 孝顺 (xiàoshùn), or filial piety, which dictates that children must show respect, obedience, and care for their parents and elders. This extends to teachers, who are seen as intellectual parents, and anyone senior in age or position.
  • Comparison to Western “Respect”: In American or Western culture, “respect” is often seen as something that must be earned through actions and can be mutual between equals (e.g., “I respect your opinion, even if I disagree”). 尊敬 (zūnjìng), however, is often positional and obligatory. One is expected to show `尊敬` to a teacher or an elder by default, regardless of personal feelings or whether you think they've “earned” it in a Western sense. It’s a fundamental part of maintaining social harmony and acknowledging a person's role in the social hierarchy. Disagreeing with an elder might be seen as a lack of `尊敬`.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Formal Address: The most common usage is in the phrase 尊敬的 (zūnjìng de)…, which means “Respected…” or “Dear…” It's the standard opening for formal letters, emails, and speeches.
    • `尊敬的老师 (zūnjìng de lǎoshī)` - Dear Respected Teacher
    • `尊敬的各位来宾 (zūnjìng de gèwèi láibīn)` - Dear Respected Guests
  • Expressing Deep Admiration: You use it as a verb to state that you hold someone in high regard. It's almost always used for people, not abstract concepts or opinions.
    • `我非常尊敬我的爷爷。(Wǒ fēicháng zūnjìng wǒ de yéye.)` - I really respect my grandpa.
  • Formality: `尊敬` is a very formal word. Using it in a casual conversation with a peer would sound strange and create distance. For mutual respect among friends or colleagues of the same level, the word 尊重 (zūnzhòng) is far more appropriate.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 尊敬的王教授，您好！
    • Pinyin: Zūnjìng de Wáng jiàoshòu, nín hǎo!
    • English: Dear Professor Wang, hello!
    • Analysis: This is the standard, formal way to begin an email or letter to a professor. Using `尊敬的` immediately establishes a respectful tone.
  • Example 2:
    • 我们应该尊敬长辈。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen yīnggāi zūnjìng zhǎngbèi.
    • English: We should respect our elders.
    • Analysis: This is a statement of cultural value. `长辈` (zhǎngbèi), meaning elders, are a group that automatically receives `尊敬`.
  • Example 3:
    • 他是一位值得我们尊敬的英雄。
    • Pinyin: Tā shì yí wèi zhídé wǒmen zūnjìng de yīngxióng.
    • English: He is a hero worthy of our respect.
    • Analysis: Here, `尊敬` is used for someone who has earned reverence through great deeds. The structure `值得 + Verb` means “worthy of…”.
  • Example 4:
    • 学生们对老师充满了尊敬之情。
    • Pinyin: Xuéshēngmen duì lǎoshī chōngmǎnle zūnjìng zhī qíng.
    • English: The students are full of respect for the teacher.
    • Analysis: In this sentence, `尊敬` functions as a noun. `尊敬之情 (zūnjìng zhī qíng)` is a slightly more literary way of saying “the feeling of respect.”
  • Example 5:
    • 在中国文化里，对父母的尊敬是第一位的。
    • Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó wénhuà lǐ, duì fùmǔ de zūnjìng shì dì-yī wèi de.
    • English: In Chinese culture, respect for one's parents is the top priority.
    • Analysis: Again, `尊敬` is used as a noun to describe the concept of respect as a cultural value.
  • Example 6:
    • 他因其智慧和经验而受到所有人的尊敬。
    • Pinyin: Tā yīn qí zhìhuì hé jīngyàn ér shòudào suǒyǒu rén de zūnjìng.
    • English: He is respected by everyone for his wisdom and experience.
    • Analysis: The structure `受到…的尊敬 (shòudào…de zūnjìng)` means “to receive the respect of…”. It's a common passive construction.
  • Example 7:
    • 作为一个领导，他赢得了下属的尊敬。
    • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yí gè lǐngdǎo, tā yíngdéle xiàshǔ de zūnjìng.
    • English: As a leader, he won the respect of his subordinates.
    • Analysis: This shows that while often positional, `尊敬` can also be “won” (`赢得 yíngdé`) through exemplary behavior, especially in a professional context.
  • Example 8:
    • 请对会场的每一位发言者表示尊敬。
    • Pinyin: Qǐng duì huìchǎng de měi yí wèi fāyánzhě biǎoshì zūnjìng.
    • English: Please show respect to every speaker at the conference.
    • Analysis: `表示尊敬 (biǎoshì zūnjìng)` means “to show respect” or “to express respect.” It refers to the act of being respectful.
  • Example 9:
    • 即使你不喜欢他，你也必须尊敬他的职位。
    • Pinyin: Jíshǐ nǐ bù xǐhuān tā, nǐ yě bìxū zūnjìng tā de zhíwèi.
    • English: Even if you don't like him, you must respect his position.
    • Analysis: This perfectly illustrates the positional nature of `尊敬`. The respect is for the office/role, not necessarily the person.
  • Example 10:
    • 她对那些为国家做出贡献的人怀有深深的尊敬。
    • Pinyin: Tā duì nàxiē wèi guójiā zuòchū gòngxiàn de rén huáiyǒu shēnshēn de zūnjìng.
    • English: She holds a deep respect for those who have contributed to the country.
    • Analysis: The verb `怀有 (huáiyǒu)` means “to cherish” or “to hold (a feeling).” `怀有尊敬` is a profound way to say you feel deep respect.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • Mistake 1: Using `尊敬` with friends or peers.
    • Incorrect: `我非常尊敬你，小明。` (Wǒ fēicháng zūnjìng nǐ, Xiǎomíng.) - This would sound very weird and overly formal to a friend named Xiaoming.
    • Correct: `我非常尊重你。` (Wǒ fēicháng zūnzhòng nǐ.) - `尊重 (zūnzhòng)` implies mutual respect between equals and is the correct choice here.
    • Explanation: `尊敬` implies a hierarchy. Using it with a peer can create an awkward power dynamic, as if you're placing yourself below them.
  • Mistake 2: Confusing `尊敬` with general politeness.
    • Explanation: You can be polite (`有礼貌 yǒu lǐmào`) to a service worker by saying “thank you,” but you wouldn't typically use the word `尊敬` to describe that interaction. `尊敬` is a deeper feeling of reverence reserved for specific figures like elders, teachers, or national heroes. It's an attitude, whereas politeness is a behavior.
  • “False Friend” with English “Respect”: While it translates to “respect,” `尊敬` does not cover all uses of the English word. You would not use `尊敬` to say “I respect your decision” or “respect for the law.” In those cases, 尊重 (zūnzhòng) is the appropriate term. `尊敬` is almost exclusively for people of higher status or moral standing.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 尊重 (zūnzhòng) - The general term for “respect.” It is broader, more common, and used for respect between equals, respect for ideas, rules, or choices.
  • 敬爱 (jìng'ài) - To respect and love. This term combines reverence with affection and is often used for beloved teachers or mentors like Premier Zhou Enlai.
  • 孝顺 (xiàoshùn) - Filial piety. The specific, culturally-mandated respect, obedience, and care that children must show to their parents and elders. `尊敬` is a major part of being `孝顺`.
  • 崇拜 (chóngbài) - To worship, to adore. Much stronger than `尊敬`, this is used for pop idols, religious figures, or someone you idolize to an extreme degree.
  • 佩服 (pèifú) - To admire. This is respect for a specific skill, talent, or accomplishment. You might `佩服` a friend's ability to code, but you would `尊敬` your grandfather for his life experience.
  • 礼貌 (lǐmào) - Politeness, manners. This refers to courteous behavior, which is an outward expression of respect, but not the deep feeling of `尊敬` itself.
  • 长辈 (zhǎngbèi) - Elders, seniors. A social category of people who are automatically owed `尊敬`.
  • 老师 (lǎoshī) - Teacher. Along with parents, teachers are the most common recipients of `尊敬` in Chinese society.