崇高

• Pinyin: chóng gāo
• Hanzi breakdown: 崇 = 山 (mountain) + 宗 (ancestor, phonetic) = lofty; 高 = tall building = high

Meaning

Lofty; sublime; noble. Describing something worthy of deep respect and admiration.

Used to describe ideals, virtues, goals, or people that inspire reverence. Often appears in formal or literary contexts when discussing honor, sacrifice, or elevated moral standing.

Examples

1. 他把帮助别人视为崇高的使命。 He regards helping others as a noble mission.
2. 消防员的职业精神是崇高的。 The professional spirit of firefighters is sublime.
3. 她怀着崇高的理想投身公益事业。 She devoted herself to charity work with lofty ideals.

Usage Guide

Context: ideals, praise, literary

Tone: reverent

Do Say

• 教育是一项崇高的事业。(Education is a noble cause.)
• 他们为了崇高的目标献出了生命。(They gave their lives for a lofty goal.)

Don't Say

• 这栋楼很崇高 (For tall buildings, use 高; 崇高 is for abstract nobility)

Origin & History

Compound of 崇 (lofty/to worship) and 高 (high). Both characters relate to height, together conveying supreme elevation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal