HSK · Level 4
132 words
Chinese word
守
Pronunciation
Pinyinshǒu
Meaning
- verbkeep
Example
他总是守信用。tā zǒng shì shǒu xìn yòng
He always keeps his word.
More examples
上班要守时，不要迟到。shàng bān yào shǒu shí bú yào chí dào
You must be punctual for work; do not be late.
Core concept
Keep watch over something, then extend that steady commitment to rules, promises, and responsibilities.
Common phrases
守信用shǒu xìn yòng
keep one's word
守时shǒu shí
be punctual
守纪律shǒu jì lǜ
observe discipline
Similar words
遵守zūn shǒu: To follow rules, keep promises, and meet agreed times or requirements.
保护bǎo hù: To protect a person or thing from danger or harm and keep it safe.
保持bǎo chí: To keep a state or quality unchanged over time.
守卫shǒu wèi: To guard a building or place by watching it and stopping outsiders from entering.
Definition in Chinese
留在原地看护或防守某处，也指遵守规则、履行诺言或承担应尽的责任。liú zài yuán dì kān hù huò fáng shǒu mǒu chù yě zhǐ zūn shǒu guī zé lǚ xíng nuò yán huò chéng dān yīng jǐn de zé rèn
Word origin
守 (shǒu, "keep") combines 宀 (mián, "roof") + 寸 (cùn, "hand"), a picture associated with staying at a home to protect it and later with holding to obligations.
Usage tips
- English often separates physical presence from reliability, so this word helps connect both ideas when a conversation shifts from a location to a social obligation.