尊敬

• Pinyin: zūn jìng
• Hanzi breakdown: 尊 = 酋 (chief) + 寸 (inch) — to honor; 敬 = 苟 (carefully) + 攵 (strike) — to respect

Meaning

To respect; to esteem; respectful. Deep regard or admiration for someone, especially elders or authority figures.

As a verb, means to respect or hold in high esteem. As an adjective, describes a respectful attitude or manner. 尊敬的 is used as an honorific (Dear...) in formal correspondence. Stronger and more formal than 尊重, implying reverence.

Examples

1. 学生们都很尊敬这位老教授。 The students all greatly respect this old professor.
2. 尊敬的各位来宾，欢迎参加今天的活动。 Dear distinguished guests, welcome to today's event.
3. 她用尊敬的目光看着自己的导师。 She looked at her mentor with respectful eyes.

Usage Guide

Context: formal address, social relations, courtesy

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 我非常尊敬我的父母。(I greatly respect my parents.)
• 尊敬的女士们先生们，晚上好。(Dear ladies and gentlemen, good evening.)

Don't Say

• 说'我尊敬这本书'表示我喜欢这本书 (Don't use 尊敬 for objects — use 喜欢 or 珍惜; 尊敬 is for people)

Origin & History

尊 (to honor, noble) + 敬 (to respect). Both characters convey respect, creating an intensified expression of esteem.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal