About
恭 is a phonosemantic compound consisting of the heart radical in its variant form ⺗ at the bottom, indicating an emotion, an inner attitude, or a state of mind, and the phonetic component 共 on top, which supplies the pronunciation. The character's fundamental meaning has always been reverence, deep respect, and polite deference or sincere compliance. The inclusion of the heart radical makes clear that genuine respect is not a matter of outward physical gestures or forced behaviors; it must arise from a true inner disposition and emotional sincerity. Frequently, 恭 appears in expressions of congratulation and formal greeting, where it conveys a deferential courtesy rooted in inner sentiment.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他恭敬地行礼。
恭喜你考试通过。
她对老师很恭敬。
请不要恭维我。
他恭恭敬敬地站着。
恭贺新禧是春节的习俗。
尽管他内心不满，表面仍恭敬如常。
我们必须以恭敬的态度对待传统文化。
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