尊

zūn

寸 + 酋

Definitions

zūn (verb) to honor; to respect

zūn (adjective) honorable; respected

zūn (noun) ancient wine vessel

Etymology

Depicts a hand (寸) offering a container of wine (酋).

About

The character 尊 originally depicted a ritual wine vessel. It combines 酋 (a container of wine) and 寸 (a hand), illustrating the act of offering wine. This gesture conveyed respect or reverence toward ancestors or deities, and over time, the meaning shifted from the physical vessel to abstract qualities like honor, dignity, and high status. Today it commonly denotes someone senior or something esteemed.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

尊重老师是基本礼貌。

Zūnzhòng lǎoshī shì jīběn lǐmào.

Respecting teachers is basic courtesy.

我们尊敬所有辛勤的劳动者。

Wǒmen zūnjìng suǒyǒu xīnqín de láodòngzhě.

We respect all hardworking laborers.

请用尊称来称呼长辈。

Qǐng yòng zūnchēng lái chēnghu zhǎngbèi.

Please use honorifics to address elders.

他是一个尊老爱幼的人。

Tā shì yí gè zūnlǎoàiyòu de rén.

He is a person who respects the old and cherishes the young.

保持安静是对逝者的一种尊敬。

Bǎochí ānjìng shì duì shìzhě de yī zhǒng zūnjìng.

Keeping quiet is a form of respect for the deceased.

这位客人的身份非常尊贵。

Zhè wèi kèrén de shēnfèn fēicháng zūnguì.

This guest is of very noble status.

他誓死捍卫国家的尊严。

Tā shìsǐ hànwèi guójiā de zūnyán.

He vowed to defend the dignity of his country to the death.

在学术讨论中，我们应尊重事实，尊崇真理。

Zài xuéshù tǎolùn zhōng, wǒmen yīng zūnzhòng shìshí, zūnchóng zhēnlǐ.

In academic discussions, we should respect facts and revere truth.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 寸

Component: 酋

Example Words