挚

摯

zhì

手 + 执

Definitions

zhì (adjective) sincere; devoted

Etymology

To shake 执 hands 手; 执 also provides the pronunciation

About

The traditional form 摯 combines 手 (hand) at the bottom with the phonetic component 執 (zhí), which means "to hold" and supplies the pronunciation. Together they evoke holding or shaking hands as a sincere gesture, and from this physical act the meaning broadened: originally "to hold firmly" or "to present a gift", it came to express earnestness, sincerity, and profound devotion. The simplified form 挚 replaces 執 with 执. Now found in words like 真挚 (sincere), the character captures genuine emotion and deep personal connection.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他是我的挚友。

Tā shì wǒ de zhìyǒu.

He is my close friend.

我对你怀有挚爱。

Wǒ duì nǐ huái yǒu zhì'ài.

I have deep love for you.

她的祝福非常挚诚。

Tā de zhùfú fēicháng zhìchéng.

Her blessings are very sincere.

我们保持着挚切的联系。

Wǒmen bǎochí zhe zhìqiè de liánxì.

We maintain earnest contact.

这份礼物代表我的挚情。

Zhè fèn lǐwù dàibiǎo wǒ de zhìqíng.

This gift represents my deep affection.

在困境中，挚友的支持很重要。

Zài kùnjìng zhōng, zhìyǒu de zhīchí hěn zhòngyào.

In difficult times, the support of close friends is very important.

他用挚诚的态度打动了所有人。

Tā yòng zhìchéng de tàidù dǎdòng le suǒyǒu rén.

He moved everyone with his sincere attitude.

尽管距离遥远，他们的挚爱从未改变。

Jǐnguǎn jùlí yáoyuǎn, tāmen de zhì'ài cóng wèi gǎibiàn.

Despite the distance, their deep love has never changed.

Related Characters

Component: 手

Component: 执

挚