Chinese word

敬意

Pronunciation

Pinyinjìng yì

Meaning

  • nounrespect

Example

我们应该对长辈表示敬意。wǒ men yīng gāi duì zhǎng bèi biǎo shì jìng yì

We should show respect to our elders.

Illustration for 敬意 (respect)

More examples

他的直率有时让人误解为缺乏敬意。tā de zhí shuài yǒu shí ràng rén wù jiě wèi quē fá jìng yì

His frankness is sometimes misunderstood as a lack of respect.

Core concept

The inner regard that treats another person as worthy of honor and careful behavior.

Common phrases

  • 赢得别人的敬意yíng dé bié rén de jìng yì

    win others' respect

  • 以示敬意yǐ shì jìng yì

    show respect

  • 向长者表示敬意xiàng zháng zhě biǎo shì jìng yì

    show respect to older people

Similar words

尊敬zūn jìng: A feeling of high esteem for someone based on that person's character or social standing.
尊重zūn zhòng: An attitude of treating another person's opinions or position as important.
礼貌lǐ mào: Polite behavior and good manners when interacting with other people.

Definition in Chinese

对他人表现出尊重和恭敬的心理或态度。duì tā rén biǎo xiàn chū zūn zhòng hé gōng jìng de xīn lǐ huò tài dù

Word origin

敬意 (jìngyì, "respectful regard") is formed from 敬 (jìng, "respect or honor") + 意 (yì, "feeling or intention"), presenting respect as an attitude held toward another person.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 敬意 (jìngyì, "respectful regard") often sounds formal; it appears more naturally in speeches and ceremonies than in casual talk about personal feelings.

Other meanings

  • esteemnoun
  • regardnoun
  • reverencenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 敬语jìng yǔrespectful languagenoun
  • 敬称jìng chēnghonorific form of addressnoun

Word lists with this word