值

• Pinyin: zhí
• Hanzi breakdown: 值 = 亻(person) + 直 (straight)

Meaning

Be worth; value. Used as a verb meaning something is worth a certain price or effort, or as a noun meaning value.

As a verb, 值 indicates that something is worth a certain amount of money or effort. Commonly used in evaluating purchases (这个东西很值) or experiences. Also used in mathematical contexts (数值, numerical value). In casual speech, 值 alone often means 'a good deal' or 'worth it.'

Examples

1. 这件衣服很值，质量特别好。 This piece of clothing is a great deal — the quality is excellent.
2. 这本书值多少钱？ How much is this book worth?
3. 花时间学一门外语是很值的。 Spending time learning a foreign language is very worthwhile.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, everyday, evaluation

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 这个价格很值。(This price is a good deal.)
• 这次旅行非常值。(This trip was very worth it.)

Don't Say

• 他值一个好人。(Don't use 值 to describe a person's character — use 是 instead; 值 is for monetary or abstract worth)

Origin & History

Originally written as 値. 亻(person) + 直 (straight). The idea of 'standing upright' extended to 'standing at a post' and then to 'worth, value.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal