崇

chóng

宗 + 山

Definitions

chóng (verb) to esteem; to worship

chóng (adjective) lofty; sublime

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 山 represents the meaning and 宗 represents the sound.

Semantic: 山 Phonetic: 宗

About

崇 is a phono-semantic compound composed of 山 (shān, mountain) on top and 宗 (zōng) below. 山 provides the semantic category of mountains or height, while 宗 indicates the pronunciation. The character originally denoted a high, majestic mountain peak. Over time, because lofty mountains were often venerated as sacred places, its meaning expanded from the physical to the abstract: loftiness, nobility, and the act of honoring or worshiping a god or esteemed figure. Today, 崇 is commonly used to express adoration, respect, or the high regard in which someone or something is held.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Xin dynasty (9-23 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我崇拜英雄人物。

Wǒ chóngbài yīngxióng rénwù.

I admire heroic figures.

崇高的事业值得追求。

Chónggāo de shìyè zhídé zhuīqiú.

Lofty causes are worth pursuing.

我们崇尚科学精神。

Wǒmen chóngshàng kēxué jīngshén.

We advocate the scientific spirit.

他对老师充满崇敬。

Tā duì lǎoshī chōngmǎn chóngjìng.

He is full of reverence for his teacher.

这座城市崇尚绿色生活。

Zhè zuò chéngshì chóngshàng lǜsè shēnghuó.

This city advocates green living.

她的崇高品质赢得了大家的尊重。

Tā de chónggāo pǐnzhì yíngdéle dàjiā de zūnzhòng.

Her lofty qualities have earned everyone's respect.

在历史上，人们崇拜各种自然力量。

Zài lìshǐ shàng, rénmen chóngbài gèzhǒng zìrán lìliàng.

In history, people worshipped various natural forces.

为了实现崇高的目标，我们必须坚持不懈地努力。

Wèile shíxiàn chónggāo de mùbiāo, wǒmen bìxū jiānchí bùxiè de nǔlì.

In order to achieve lofty goals, we must persevere in our efforts.

Related Characters

Component: 宗

Component: 山

崇