Chinese word

崇拜

Pronunciation

Pinyinchóng bài

Meaning

  • verbworship

Example

很多年轻人崇拜偶像。hěn duō nián qīng rén chóng bài ǒu xiàng

Many young people worship idols.

Illustration for 崇拜 (worship)

More examples

孩子们常常崇拜英雄。hái zi men cháng cháng chóng bài yīng xióng

Children often worship heroes.

Core concept

Places someone or something above ordinary standards, with admiration that makes it seem exemplary or almost sacred.

Common phrases

  • 崇拜偶像chóng bài ǒu xiàng

    worship idols

  • 崇拜权威chóng bài quán wēi

    worship authority

  • 崇拜神灵chóng bài shén líng

    worship gods

Similar words

尊敬zūn jìng: Show polite regard for someone whose character, abilities, or actions deserve respect.

Definition in Chinese

把某人或某物看得很高，像神或榜样一样敬重并仰慕，常带有强烈的感情或理想化倾向。bǎ mǒu rén huò mǒu wù kàn de hěn gāo xiàng shén huò bǎng yàng yí yàng jìng zhòng bìng yǎng mù cháng dài yǒu qiáng liè de gǎn qíng huò lí xiǎng huà qīng xiàng

Word origin

The compound 崇拜 (chóngbài, "worship") joins 崇 (chóng, "exalted") and 拜 (bài, "bow in respect"), picturing respect directed upward.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may reserve "worship" for religion, but Chinese commonly uses this verb for intense admiration of public figures and fictional characters.

Other meanings

  • idolizeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 崇拜者chóng bài zhěworshipernoun

Word lists with this word