崇拜

• Pinyin: chóng bài
• Hanzi breakdown: 崇 = 山 (mountain) + 宗 (ancestor), lofty; 拜 = two 手 (hands), to bow/worship

Meaning

To worship; to admire deeply; to idolize. Intense respect and admiration.

Can refer to religious worship or secular admiration of people (celebrities, heroes, mentors). The level of admiration is stronger than 佩服 (admire) or 尊敬 (respect). Sometimes used critically to describe excessive or blind admiration.

Examples

1. 很多年轻人崇拜明星，模仿他们的穿着打扮。 Many young people idolize celebrities and imitate their style of dress.
2. 他从小就崇拜科学家，梦想成为一名物理学家。 He's admired scientists since childhood and dreams of becoming a physicist.
3. 盲目崇拜是不可取的，每个人都有缺点。 Blind worship is not advisable — everyone has flaws.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, religion, entertainment

Tone: varies

Do Say

• 我很崇拜他的才华。(I really admire his talent.)
• 她是我的偶像，我从小就崇拜她。(She's my idol — I've admired her since I was young.)

Don't Say

• 对一般的尊敬或佩服不用'崇拜'，程度太重 (Don't use 崇拜 for ordinary respect or admiration — it's too strong; use 佩服 or 尊敬 instead)

Origin & History

Combines 崇 (high/lofty) with 拜 (to bow/worship), together meaning to hold in high reverence.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal