Definitions

jìng (verb) to respect; to venerate
jìng (verb) to salute

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the sound and represents the meaning.

About

The character "敬" derives from an etymological construction combining the component "茍", conveying a sense of urgency or caution, with "攵", a radical often associated with deliberate action or conduct, thereby originally denoting the act of behaving with careful attention and solemnity. Over time, its semantic focus solidified around the core concept of respect, though its application broadened from formal ritual reverence to encompass a wider range of polite expressions and sincere esteem in both personal and social contexts. The structural integrity of the character has been maintained, and its conceptual journey reflects a sustained valuation of propriety and deference within cultural practices.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
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

我尊我的老师。

Wǒ zūnjìng wǒ de lǎoshī.

I respect my teacher.

学生们向国旗礼。

Xuéshēngmen xiàng guóqí jìnglǐ.

The students salute the national flag.

业的态度值得学习。

Tā jìngyè de tàidù zhídé xuéxí.

His professional dedication is worth learning from.

我们对逝者表示深切的意。

Wǒmen duì shìzhě biǎoshì shēnqiè de jìngyì.

We express our deep respect for the deceased.

他恭地递上了自己的名片。

Tā gōngjìng de dì shàngle zìjǐ de míngpiàn.

He respectfully handed over his business card.

老爱幼是中华民族的传统美德。

Jìng lǎo ài yòu shì Zhōnghuá mínzú de chuántǒng měidé.

Respecting the elderly and caring for the young is a traditional virtue of the Chinese nation.

我们对这个历史遗迹怀有畏之心。

Wǒmen duì zhège lìshǐ yíjì huái yǒu jìngwèi zhī xīn.

We hold a sense of reverence for this historical site.

在正式宴会上,酒的次序很有讲究。

Zài zhèngshì yànhuì shàng, jìngjiǔ de cìxù hěn yǒu jiǎngjiu.

At a formal banquet, the sequence of proposing toasts is quite particular.