重

• Pinyin: zhòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 重 = originally a pictograph of a heavy sack carried by a person — heaviness, weight

Meaning

Heavy; weighty. Describes something that has great physical weight.

Primarily means physically heavy. Also used figuratively to mean 'serious' or 'important': 病很重 (the illness is serious). Note that 重 has two pronunciations: zhòng (heavy/serious) and chóng (again/repeat). At HSK 1 level, focus on the zhòng pronunciation meaning 'heavy'.

Examples

1. 这个箱子太重了。 This suitcase is too heavy.
2. 你的书包很重吗？ Is your schoolbag heavy?
3. 这些苹果很重。 These apples are very heavy.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个包太重了，我拿不动。(This bag is too heavy, I can't carry it.)
• 你有多重？(How much do you weigh?)

Don't Say

• 这个很重量。(Don't confuse 重 the adjective with 重量 the noun — say 这个很重 for 'this is heavy')

Origin & History

Originally depicted a person carrying a heavy bag on their back. The character evolved to represent the concept of weight and heaviness.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal